Foreign Affairs

sl8

(13,900 posts) Thu Apr 25, 2024, 06:27 AM Apr 25

Why is Spain's prime minister considering resigning from office?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/25/why-spain-prime-minister-pedro-sanchez-considering-resigning

Why is Spain’s prime minister considering resigning from office?

Pedro Sánchez accuses opponents of ‘bullying operation’ conducted against him and his wife, Begoña Gómez

Sam Jones in Madrid
Thu 25 Apr 2024 05.55 EDT

On Wednesday night, Spain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, abruptly announced he was cancelling his public duties for the rest of the week and considering resigning from office. He said he would announce his decision on Monday.

What prompted the shock announcement?
Although Spanish politics has become increasingly polarised, personal and bitter over recent years, Sánchez said he had felt compelled to consider his position after what he called a baseless “harassment and bullying operation” conducted against him and his wife by political opponents and hostile sections of the rightwing and far-right media.

The announcement came hours after a Madrid court said it had opened an investigation into Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, “for the alleged offence of influence peddling and corruption”. The investigation followed a complaint from the pressure group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands).

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3 replies

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Why is Spain's prime minister considering resigning from office? (Original Post) sl8 Apr 25 OP

Spanish prosecutors ask judge to scrap case against Pedro Sánchez's wife muriel_volestrangler Apr 25 #1

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will not resign after allegations against wife muriel_volestrangler Monday #2

Thanks for the follow up. nt sl8 Monday #3

muriel_volestrangler

(101,367 posts)

1. Spanish prosecutors ask judge to scrap case against Pedro Sánchez's wife

Reply to sl8 (Original post)

Thu Apr 25, 2024, 12:24 PM

Apr 25

Public prosecutors in Madrid have called for a preliminary inquiry to be dismissed into Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's wife, hours after he said he was suspending his duties to assess whether he would remain in office.

In an appeal to the Madrid court, prosecutors said there was no evidence in the complaint against Begoña Gómez.

The court began the case into claims by a right-wing anti-corruption group.

But the group has since acknowledged the allegations could be false.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68895727

RW groups make shit up all over the world! Whoda thunk it???

muriel_volestrangler

(101,367 posts)

2. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will not resign after allegations against wife

Reply to sl8 (Original post)

Mon Apr 29, 2024, 05:51 AM

Monday

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said he will stay on as Spain's leader, following five days of speculation over his future.

Last week, Mr Sánchez announced he was cancelling all official engagements after a court opened an initial inquiry into his wife over corruption claims.

He called the allegations a harassment campaign orchestrated by right-wing media.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68919354

The investigation followed a complaint from the pressure group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), which is known to have had links in the past to Spain’s far right.

In a dramatic speech this morning, Sánchez said he decided to continue as prime minister and called for a collective reflection, as well as cleaning up what he described as toxic practices in public life.

He called on Spanish society to become an example and inspiration for the world.

“I have acted out of a clear conviction,” Sánchez said. “Either we say enough, or this degradation of public life will determine our future, condemning us as a country,” he added.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/apr/29/europe-live-spanish-prime-minister-pedro-sanchez?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-662f5dba8f082fbf2974a0db#block-662f5dba8f082fbf2974a0db