Spanish PM Sanchez's wife must stand trial on corruption charges, judge rules

The case is one of several corruption probes nearing or already at trial that are weighing on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

A truck displaying images of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife Begona Gomez drives outside the court as a way of protest on the day Gomez appears in court to testify as part of influence-peddling investigation, in Madrid, Spain, June 15, 2026.

(photo credit: REUTERS/Ana Beltran)

ByREUTERS

JUNE 20, 2026 20:45

The spouse of Spanish Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez must face trial on corruption charges and is prohibited from traveling abroad, according to a judge's ruling issued on Saturday.

Begoña Gomez is accused of leveraging her role as the prime minister's wife to obtain work contracts. She rejects all claims of misconduct. Far-right organizations opposed to Sanchez's party filed the case.

Investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado directed Gomez to turn in her passport, banned her from leaving Spain and ordered her to check in with the court twice each month.

Gomez's case one of several corruption investigations close to Sanchez

The matter forms part of several corruption inquiries approaching or already in trial that are burdening Sanchez, one of Europe's few remaining leftist leaders. He has not been implicated in any proceedings and has described them as an effort to oust him from power.

El Pais newspaper cited sources close to Gomez as saying she would appeal against the conditions imposed by the judge, including the withdrawal of her passport.

The Socialist Party posted on the messaging platform X/Twitter: "(Begoña) has been subjected to judicial and political persecution for two years. Today's development is another step in that process."

Several close allies, including the Socialist Party's number three and Sanchez's former transport minister, are under investigation in cases involving alleged kickbacks linked to public works, oil and gas contracts, and the procurement of masks during the pandemic. They deny wrongdoing.

Separately, Spain's High Court said it was investigating former prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero over allegations he led a network that profited from lobbying public authorities on behalf of third parties, including airline Plus Ultra. He denies the claims.