Sánchez Refuses to Testify in Corruption Inquiry

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has refused to testify in a judicial investigation against his wife, Begoña Gómez, who is accused of corruption and influence-peddling. Sánchez invoked his legal right to remain silent in cases involving close family members, a move that has intensified pressure on his minority government. The investigation, initiated by the far-right linked group Manos Limpias, accuses Gómez of using her position to secure sponsors for a master's degree course she ran. Despite calls for resignation from the conservative opposition, Sánchez has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated smears. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado insisted on questioning Sánchez in person, which led the state attorney’s office to file a lawsuit against Peinado for alleged abuse of office. This marks the first time a sitting Spanish prime minister has been called to testify since Mariano Rajoy in 2017.