Spain's government faces turmoil as top prosecutor and PM's wife face legal trials
Spain’s leftist government is under intense scrutiny as legal challenges mount against key figures, including the nation’s top prosecutor and the prime minister’s wife. These developments have intensified political tensions, threatening the stability of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority coalition.
Top prosecutor sent to trial
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court formally sent Spain’s top prosecutor, Álvaro García Ortiz, to trial, setting his bail at €150,000. García Ortiz faces allegations of breaching judicial secrecy by leaking case files related to Alberto Gonzalez Amador, a businessman under investigation for tax fraud. Gonzalez Amador is the partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the influential conservative leader of the Madrid region and a prominent figure in the Popular Party (PP).
The PP has accused Sánchez’s allies of orchestrating the leak to damage Ayuso, who is a key voice of Spain’s right-wing opposition. García Ortiz, appointed by Sánchez’s government in 2022, has denied any involvement in the alleged leaks, maintaining that he neither shared information personally nor through his office.
The trial became inevitable after García Ortiz’s final appeal was rejected in July, although a date has yet to be announced. The PP’s leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, renewed calls for García Ortiz’s resignation on Tuesday, describing the situation as “unbearable institutional damage” in a post on X.
PM’s wife under investigation
Adding to the government’s troubles, Prime Minister Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, is set to appear in a Madrid court on Wednesday. She faces allegations of embezzlement and influence peddling, stemming from a long-running investigation led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado.
The probe centers on whether Gómez exploited her position for personal gain, particularly involving claims that Cristina Álvarez, an official at the prime minister’s office, worked for Gómez during her tenure at Madrid’s Complutense University. Gómez has consistently denied the accusations, stating during a December 2024 court hearing that she has “nothing to hide.”
Sánchez has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing far-right groups of using spurious complaints to destabilize his government. Earlier this month, the premier criticized what he described as “judges who do politics and politicians who try to do justice.”
Broader corruption allegations
The legal troubles do not end there. Separate investigations into Sánchez’s brother and two former Socialist Party leaders have further shaken the government’s credibility. These cases have fueled criticism from the opposition, escalating calls for Sánchez’s resignation as he struggles to maintain control of his minority coalition.
With the Socialist Party facing mounting pressure, the unfolding legal battles could have significant implications for Spain’s political landscape.
-
23:30
-
23:00
-
22:30
-
22:00
-
21:30
-
21:00
-
20:30
-
20:00
-
19:30
-
19:00
-
18:30
-
18:00
-
17:30
-
17:00
-
16:45
-
16:34
-
16:30
-
16:00
-
15:30
-
15:07
-
15:00
-
14:30
-
14:00
-
13:45
-
13:30
-
13:15
-
13:00
-
12:45
-
12:44
-
12:30
-
12:15
-
12:15
-
12:00
-
12:00
-
11:45
-
11:15
-
11:00
-
10:45
-
10:30
-
10:15
-
10:00
-
10:00
-
10:00
-
09:45
-
09:30
-
09:15
-
09:00
-
09:00
-
08:45
-
08:27
-
00:10
