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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been called to testify in a criminal investigation into corruption allegations against his wife in a move that significantly raises the stakes in the case.
The judge’s decision, announced Monday, means Sanchez is due to be questioned as a witness at his official residence on July 30 in an investigation he has described as part of a right-wing smear campaign against him.
The investigation into Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, has stirred up a storm in Spanish politics that worsened last year when Sánchez returned to power as head of a fragile coalition after an inconclusive general election. The prime minister took five days off to consider his future when the investigation was first launched in April.
The case revolves around allegations of influence peddling and corruption against Gomez in connection with her business dealings. Sanchez has denied any wrongdoing by his wife and has not been charged.
“It is considered appropriate, useful and convenient to take a statement from the spouse of the person under investigation,” said Judge Juan Carlos Peinado of the High Court of Justice in Madrid, given the need to investigate Gomez’s “possible” relationship with the authorities.
“I am surprised by what is happening,” said Yolanda Díaz, deputy prime minister in the Socialist-led government. Sánchez’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Gomez was called to testify in court last Friday but exercised her right to decline to answer questions. She has not commented publicly on the case.
Borja Semper, spokesman for the conservative Popular Party, the main opposition party, said the problem with the prime minister was “moral” and not just judicial. “The Spaniards are ashamed of this permanent scandal,” he said.
The last time a sitting Spanish prime minister was called to testify in a court case was in 2017, when Mariano Rajoy of the People’s Party was called in a corruption case that led to the convictions of several members of his party.
Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the Popular Party, recalled on Monday that Sanchez had urged Rajoy to resign at the time and said he Sanchez was Who should resign now?
The investigation into Gomez was opened following a complaint from the Manos Limpias, or Clean Hands, group with links to the far right and a history of bringing politically charged legal cases.
Sanchez wrote a letter to the nation when the initial court case was opened, saying he had been the target of a right-wing “harassment and destruction” operation that included his political opponents and the media.
When Gomez was placed under formal investigation in June, he wrote another letter saying, “I will not be broken.”
In a radio interview this month, Sanchez said he wanted to “believe that Peinado is not biased in this case.”
He added that his wife “filed several appeals, which have not yet been responded to, asking the judge to clarify the reasons for summoning her to testify.”
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