Corruption investigation launched into wife of Spanish Prime Minister

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife is under investigation in Spain for influence peddling and corruption. A Spanish court announced this on Wednesday. An anti-corruption collective has filed a complaint against Begoña Gómez.

The investigation into Begoña Gómez started on April 16 after a complaint from the association “Manos limpias” (clean hands). Justice does not want to make any further statements about the investigation.

Spanish media report that the investigation focuses on Gómez’s contacts with private companies that have received money or orders from the government. For example, Gómez is said to have had ties with the Spanish tourism group Globalia, the owner of Air Europa, among others. She is said to have played a role in government support for Air Europa in 2020, which ran into major problems during the corona crisis and appealed for support.

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Gomez then headed IE Africa Center, a foundation linked to a business school in Madrid. According to the online newspaper El Confidencial, the foundation signed a partnership with Globalia in 2020. Gomez is said to have participated in a private meeting with Globalia CEO Javier Hidalgo when Globalia negotiated the bailout plan with the government.

Trust in justice

Sánchez, who has been Prime Minister of Spain since mid-2018, said in response that he has confidence in the Spanish justice system.

Manos Limpias, founded in 1995, became a civil party in several corruption cases. The association is said to have links with the extreme right through its general secretary Miguel Bernad, a former leader of the Frente Nacional party that was dissolved in 1993.

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