Spanish prime minister’s wife formally charged after two-year corruption inquiry

Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been formally charged by an investigating judge in Madrid after a two-year inquiry into her professional activities and links to public institutions. The ruling does not amount to a conviction, but it allows the case to move forward while the courts decide whether a full trial should take place. Gómez denies all wrongdoing. 

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado said there were sufficient indications to continue proceedings on four alleged offences: influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, embezzlement of public funds and misappropriation. He did not include a previously examined allegation of professional misconduct, citing insufficient evidence on that point.  Under Spanish criminal procedure, parties in the case must now submit their arguments either requesting a trial or seeking dismissal. A court will then determine whether oral proceedings should begin. No date has been set for any future hearing. 

Inquiry Began in 2024

The investigation opened in April 2024 after a complaint was filed by Manos Limpias, a campaign group that has previously brought legal actions against politicians and public figures. The complaint centred on Gómez’s outside professional work and whether she benefited improperly from her position as the spouse of the head of government.  A central part of the case concerns Gómez’s links to the Complutense University of Madrid, where she was involved in programmes including a university chair. Investigators examined the creation of that post, contacts with business figures and whether public resources were used for private purposes. 

According to the judge’s order, the evidence considered includes meetings held at the Moncloa government complex, use of official communication channels and relationships with companies linked to businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés. The defence is expected to challenge both the interpretation of those facts and the legal basis of the accusations. 

Other Defendants Included in Proceedings

The ruling also affects Cristina Álvarez, an aide linked to the prime minister’s office, and businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés. Both have been included in the proceedings connected to the same investigation and also deny wrongdoing.  Their inclusion means the case is broader than allegations against Gómez alone. If the matter reaches trial, the court would need to consider the separate roles and responsibilities of each person named in the order. 

Spanish media have reported that some parts of the case could be heard before a jury if proceedings are opened on specific offences, although the final format would depend on the charges confirmed by the court at the next stage. 

Political Response Deepens Divisions

The decision prompted an immediate response from the Spanish government and opposition parties. Ministers close to Sánchez criticised the investigation and said higher courts should review the ruling. Government figures have repeatedly argued that the case is politically motivated and lacks a sound legal foundation. 

Members of the governing Socialist party also objected to language used in the judicial order, particularly references comparing conduct inside the prime minister’s office with behaviour associated with authoritarian systems. Officials said such language was inappropriate in a legal document.  Opposition parties took the opposite view, saying the case raised serious questions about standards in public life. Critics of the government argued that the allegations required full judicial examination and increased pressure on Sánchez’s minority administration. 

Timing Adds Further Attention

The ruling was made public while Sánchez was on an official visit to China, where Gómez accompanied him. Several government figures suggested the timing was politically significant, though no evidence has been presented that publication dates affected the judicial process.  The development comes during a difficult period for the prime minister, whose government has faced sustained political attacks and several separate investigations involving former allies and family members. Those matters are legally distinct and remain subject to their own proceedings. 

For now, the immediate significance of the ruling is procedural rather than final. An investigating judge has recommended that the case continue, but the courts have yet to decide whether Begoña Gómez will stand trial or whether the proceedings will be dismissed at a later stage