Spanish Prime Minister’s Wife Faces Travel Ban Amid Corruption Allegations

A Spanish judge has ordered the commencement of legal proceedings against Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in connection with corruption allegations. The court has also ordered her to surrender her passport, imposed a travel ban, and mandated that she appear in court twice a month.

According to a CNN report, Prime Minister Sánchez is facing significant political pressure due to the corruption investigation into his wife. The government is under increasing strain as several investigations are also being conducted into individuals within his inner circle.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado alleges that Gómez leveraged her husband’s political position and influence to advance her professional standing at a university in Madrid. She faces accusations of misappropriation, influence peddling, corruption in business transactions, and misuse of funds.

Both Gómez and Sánchez have denied all allegations. Prime Minister Sánchez asserts that the case against his wife is politically motivated, describing it as an "obscene farce."

The investigation began in 2024 after 'Manos Limpias'—an anti-corruption organization with ties to right-wing political circles—filed a complaint accusing Gómez of influence peddling. At that time, Sánchez took a brief hiatus from his official duties to reflect on whether he should continue serving as Prime Minister.

Spain’s Minister of Justice, Félix Bolaños, has criticized the decision to initiate legal proceedings against Gómez. In a post on the social media platform X, he described it as a "terrible day" for those who believe in justice, while expressing confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.

In an editorial, the Spanish newspaper *El País* remarked that the entire investigative process has been marked by excessively harsh measures, attempts to garner media attention, and a lack of impartiality.

Meanwhile, corruption investigations are also underway involving individuals close to Sánchez. Police recently conducted a search of the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), which is led by the Prime Minister. The potential misuse of party funds—including their possible use to cover legal costs for political figures—is being examined.