Spanish PM’s wife forbidden to leave country amid escalating corruption probes

Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been ordered by a Spanish judge to stand trial on multiple corruption charges and is prohibited from leaving the country. The investigative judge, Juan Carlos Peinado, mandated that Gómez surrender her passport and report to court twice monthly, citing potential flight risk. These measures stem from a two-year criminal investigation, formally charging her with embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misappropriation of funds.

The allegations, which Gómez denies, accuse her of leveraging her position as the Prime Minister's wife to advance her private career and influence government contracts. The probe began in April 2024 following a complaint by the anti-corruption group Manos Limpias, which has links to the far-right. Prime Minister Sánchez and his political allies maintain that the accusations are politically motivated attempts to destabilize his government.

While a trial date has not yet been scheduled, Gómez is expected to appeal the imposed precautionary measures. This development escalates pressure on Sánchez's administration, which is also contending with other corruption investigations involving family members and former associates.