Pedro Sánchez had Spain in suspense since last Wednesday, the date on which he published a message on his social networks. letter to citizens where he left his continuity at the head of the Government in the air. The president announced that he was taking five days of reflection to assess whether it was worth continuing in the position after the information that links his wife, Begoña Gómez, with Air Europe, one of the companies rescued by the Government. And this Monday, April 29, he revealed his decision at 11:00 a.m. with an institutional statement from Moncloa. The speech, marked by suspense, left the announcement of its continuity until the end.
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- “In the letter, I raised the question of whether it is worth enduring the harassment suffered for 10 years by my family when presiding over the government of Spain.”
- “After days of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that if political action allows the indiscriminate attack on innocent people, not worth it.”
- “If lies replace respectful and rational debate, then it’s not worth it.”
- “There is no honor that justifies the unjust suffering of loved ones.”
- “The letter sent did not obey a political calculation and showed a sentiment usually inadmissible in politics.”
- “I admitted to having hesitated before those who seek to break me, not because of who I am, but because of what I represent.”
- “The only way to move forward sometimes is to stop, reflect and decide clearly.”
- “I have acted from the conviction that, or we say enoughor the degradation of public life will determine our future.”
- “This step was taken for personal reasons that everyone can understand, as they respond to the values of a supportive society.”
- “We are talking about respect, dignity and principles beyond political opinions.”
- “If we allow deliberate hoaxes direct the political debate and the role of women is relegated, we will have done irreparable damage to our democracy.”
- “The question I ask is if we want this for Spain.”
- “My wife and I know that the smear campaign will not stopbut the important thing is that we love Spain.”
- “The social mobilization that has decisively influenced my reflection and for which I am once again grateful. “I appreciate the expressions of solidarity received, especially from the Socialist Party.”
- “I have decided to continue leading the presidency of the Government of Spain with greater strength.”
- “I commit to working for the regeneration of our democracy and for the advancement and consolidation of rights and freedoms.”
- “It is essential that the social majority mobilizes for dignity and common sense.”
- “It’s about deciding what kind of society we want to be.”
- “We have been leaving for too long May the mud colonize political life with impunitypublic life, of toxic practices unimaginable just a few years ago.”
- “I ask that we once again be an example and inspiration for the world, defending democracy.”
The Court of Instruction Number 41 of Madrid has initiated an investigation against Begoña Gómez, wife of Pedro Sánchez, for alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in businesses related to Air Europa. The controversy revolves around his alleged intervention to financially favor the airline, beneficiary of government bailouts during the pandemic.
The complaint was presented by Clean Hands, a group associated with the extreme right, causing a notable impact in political and media circles. Begoña Gómez, with a professional history linked to the Business Institute and innovation in the tourism sector, is in the middle of an investigation that includes alleged meetings and agreements with executives of Globaliaparent company of Air Europa, to promote business interests in parallel to the award of government aid during the health crisis.
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This case arose in a context marked by the words of Pedro Sánchez in Congress last week, defending his faith in Spanish justice despite the circumstances. The socialist administration has received criticism from the opposition, particularly from PP, which questions the ethics and transparency in the decisions of the Council of Ministers allegedly influenced by Gómez. The Government’s responses to the accusations, classified by some ministers as a defamation strategyseek to discredit the foundations of the investigation and point towards a politicization of justice by sectors opposed to Sánchez.
The situation has generated a wide debate about the personal influence on political decisions and the financing of academic projects and programs linked to the senior state officials. The possible appearance of Begoña Gómez before the commission of inquiry into the Koldo case in the Senate could shed more light on her role in relations with Air Europa.
