Spain's Sanchez says he will stay on as PM

He has been in power since 2018

Pedro Sánchez, in which he announced on Monday that he has decided to continue

Video capture of the institutional signal of La Monclao, of the appearance of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, in which he announced on Monday that he has decided to continue at the head of the Executive "with more strength if possible" after the period of reflection that he has taken in recent days in the face of what he considers a campaign of harassment and demolition against him and his wife. | EFE / Moncloa

MDB DigitalCharlie Devereux and Emma PinedoMadrid29/04/2024 11:15

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday he had decided to continue in office, days after abruptly announcing he was considering his future following the launch of a corruption investigation against his wife. The centre-left prime minister, 52, had surprised foes and allies alike when he said on Wednesday he was taking time from public duty to consider quitting.

He described the court investigation of his wife Begona Gomez for influence peddling and business corruption as orchestrated by his opponents. Sanchez met King Felipe VI on Monday - a step that would have been necessary should he have decided to resign - but announced in a televised address that he had informed the monarch of his decision to stay on.

He had been encouraged to stay by widespread expressions of support over the weekend, Sanchez said. "I have decided to go on, if possible even stronger as prime minister. This is not business as usual, things are going to be different," he said in a national broadcast.

His announcement that he might quit had caused further turmoil in Spanish politics, where a fractious parliament has struggled to form coalition governments after close elections. Should a new election have been required, it would have been the fourth in five years.

The opposition will try to exploit the sign of indecision from Sanchez, but the impact may be limited because Spain's political landscape is already so polarised, said Ignacio Jurado, political science professor at Madrid's Carlos III University. "His credibility is already hotly contested and voters have already given it to him or taken it away," he said. "As a leader he has shown a weakness and it's something that the opposition will exploit a lot."

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Charles Dalrymple-Chumley | 11 months ago

There's a large amount of bluff going on here. Perhaps he's been watching the series Suits on Netflix! He was never going to resign permanently and the accusations over his wife and others close to him if proven are what will bring him down in the end. Or would do if Spain had an effective opposition party. It's all smoke and mirrors. Oh for a politician with honesty, integrity and a real desire to carry out policies to make Spain great again. I can dream.

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Beachcomber | 11 months ago

Another totally useless politician clinging on with his own sense of importance. It would have been far better for Spain and it’s citizens if he just resigned.