A Spanish judge on Saturday ordered Begona Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial on charges of influence peddling and corruption, directing her to surrender her passport and appear before a court every two weeks.

The ruling by investigative judge Juan Carlos Peinado sparked a fresh political confrontation in Spain, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Sanchez’s Socialist government and calling for an early election. No date has yet been set for the trial.

Judge Cites Flight Risk in Ordering Restrictions

Judge Peinado said Gomez posed a flight risk and imposed restrictions that include the surrender of her passport and mandatory court appearances every fortnight.

Gomez is accused of using her position to influence the awarding of government contracts to a group of technology companies.

The judge also alleged that she misused public funds in the hiring of a consultant and improperly used software during her tenure as a professor at a public university.

Peinado further ruled that a businessman who allegedly benefited from the contracts, along with the consultant who worked for Gomez, would also stand trial.

Gomez has denied all allegations.

Government Condemns Order as Politically Motivated

Prime Minister Sanchez has maintained that the case against his wife is part of a campaign orchestrated by conservative opponents seeking to bring down his left-wing administration, which has governed Spain since 2018.

Senior government officials criticised Saturday’s ruling and described it as politically motivated.

The ruling Socialist Party issued a statement defending Gomez and denouncing the case.

“Begoa Gomez is innocent,” the party said.

“For two years now, she has been the target of a political and judicial witch hunt. Today’s development is just the latest escalation.”

The party described the order as “an absolute scandal for democracy”.

Opposition Calls for Early Election

Spain’s conservative opposition intensified its criticism of the government following the court’s decision.

Miguel Tellado, secretary-general of the opposition People’s Party, urged Sanchez to call an early election and accused the government of undermining democratic institutions.

“Lawmakers and the architects of our constitution could never have imagined that the threats to our democracy could originate from the Spanish government itself,” Tellado said.

“Now we see how the government attacks judges, prosecutors and the media while attempting to silence opposition parties,” he added.

“This is unthinkable in any modern democracy.”

Sanchez Faces Mounting Political Pressure

Sanchez, who has been a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump, is confronting legal and political challenges ahead of a general election due next year.

Earlier this week, former Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero appeared before another judge in connection with allegations linked to a government airline bailout and the discovery of luxury jewellery during a police raid on his office.

Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation into Gomez began two years ago after complaints filed by pressure group Manos Limpias, or Clean Hands, an organisation that has pursued several cases associated with conservative causes.

With no trial date yet announced, the case has emerged as the latest source of tension between Sanchez’s government and the opposition, which has intensified calls for an early vote while Gomez continues to reject the allegations against her.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share