Prime Minister's Wife Ordered to Stand Trial in Spain
A Spanish judge has ordered Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial on charges of influence peddling and corruption. She has been ordered to surrender her passport and appear in court every two weeks. No trial date has been set.
The Charges
Begoña Gómez is accused of using her position to influence government contracts awarded to a group of technology companies. The allegations also include misuse of public funds in hiring a consultant and inappropriate use of software while she was a professor at a public university.
Two other individuals—a businessman and a consultant—will also stand trial in connection with the case.
Gómez has denied any wrongdoing. Prime Minister Sánchez has described the case as part of a smear campaign by conservative opponents.
Reactions
Spain's Socialist Party called the decision "an absolute scandal for democracy" and stated: "Begoña Gómez is innocent... she has been the target of a political and judicial witch hunt."
Miguel Tellado, secretary-general of the opposition People's Party, responded: "Now we see how the government attacks judges, prosecutors and the media while attempting to silence opposition parties."
Background
The two-year investigation into Gómez originated from a complaint by the pressure group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands). The group has pursued multiple legal cases, many of which are linked to conservative causes.