Reasons for the possible resignation

Pedro Sánchez has cancelled his public agenda until Monday after a Madrid court confirmed the opening of a "preliminary investigation" involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged influence peddling and corruption, following a complaint by the association "Clean Hands", linked to the far right.

The prime minister and leader of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) said that his wife and he have been victims of the "mud machine" of the right and the far right for months and that he needs "to stop and reflect", to answer the question of whether he should and whether it is worth continuing in the position he has held since 2018 given "the mire" that the Popular Party (PP) and Vox "intend to transform politics into".

Sánchez said that "falsehoods" are at stake, that Begoña Gómez "will defend her honour and cooperate with justice" and accused the PP and Vox of "an operation of harassment and destruction" because they do not accept the results of the last elections and have realised that "political attack would not be enough".

The leader of the Spanish government immediately received expressions of support from PSOE leaders, other left-wing parties and the pro-independence Republican Left of Catalonia, who shared the accusations against the right and the far right and stated that in politics "not everything goes".

The PP and Vox accused him of playing the victim to hide suspicions of corruption and of campaigning, just a few weeks before the regional elections in Catalonia on 12 May and the European elections on 9 June.

The suspicions surrounding Begoña Gómez

The prime minister's wife will be investigated for alleged links to private companies, such as the airline Air Europa, which received public support during the pandemic crisis or signed contracts with the State when Sánchez was already prime minister.

The complaint by the association "Clean Hands" is based on recent publications in digital media whose contents the PP and Vox have referred to in public statements and political debates, including in parliament.

Other controversies and accusations

In addition to the suspicion involving his wife, Sánchez has been attacked by the right and far right because of a judicial investigation into an advisor to a former socialist minister, accused of fraud and of charging illegal commissions on the sale of masks during the pandemic to public entities, including regional governments then in the hands of the PSOE.

No former member of the government or PSOE leaders are being investigated by the justice system, according to what is known about this case, which led to the creation of parliamentary committees of inquiry, supported by the socialists, on the purchase of health material by public administrations during the Covid-19 crisis.

Scenarios in the event of resignation

Pedro Sánchez could resign on Monday, but he cannot immediately call elections (a prerogative that in Spain lies with the executive) because at least a year must have passed since the last dissolution of parliament, on 29 May 2023.

After the dissolution, 54 days must pass before elections can be held, so there is only the possibility of legislative elections in the second half of July.

Thus, if the prime minister resigns on Monday, the rest of the government will remain in office, albeit with limited powers, until a new leader of the government is invested by parliament.

To this end, the head of state, King Felipe VI, must hear from all the parties and then indicate a name to parliament, followed by the investiture session by the deputies.

After the elections in July last year, in which the PSOE was the second most voted party, behind the PP, Sánchez was re-elected prime minister in November, with the support of a 'geringonça' of eight left-wing, right-wing, nationalist and pro-independence parties.

Scenario of the motion of confidence

Several voices in Spain are suggesting the possibility that Sánchez will not resign and will instead choose to submit to a motion of confidence in parliament.

The motion of confidence needs a simple majority to be approved. If it is rejected, it is equivalent to the resignation of the prime minister.

Read Also: With wife under investigation, Sanchez cancels agenda. Will "reflect" on position (Portuguese version)

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