Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez faces new judicial developments

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces renewed judicial scrutiny as legal developments in cases involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, and former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero coincide with his attendance at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has concluded the investigation into Begoña Gómez, moving the case to oral trial on charges of influence peddling and embezzlement. Simultaneously, Judge José Luis Calama has summoned the daughters of former President Zapatero as investigated parties for November 30 and ordered Zapatero to provide documentation regarding jewelry found in his office.

The Spanish government and the PSOE have expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of these judicial rulings, describing the coincidence with the Prime Minister's international trip as “intolerable” and “striking.”