Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing renewed political pressure after a judge ordered his wife, Begoña Gómez, to stand trial, deepening a corruption controversy that already involves several of his relatives and close associates.

In a new report,  Bloomberg said the case against Gómez is one of four corruption-related matters tied to figures close to Sánchez. His brother is due to stand trial next month on charges of misconduct in public office, while two former senior aides to the prime minister face court proceedings over accusations including bribery, influence peddling, and criminal association. The prospect of overlapping, high-profile trials poses a setback for Sánchez’s Socialist government ahead of an election next year. 

The case against Gómez began with a complaint filed by Manos Limpias, an association with links to the far right that used a legal mechanism allowing third parties to seek criminal investigations, the news agency said. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado later charged Gómez with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business, and trademark misappropriation, alleging that she used her relationship with Sánchez to influence officials and advance her private-sector career. 

The judge alleged that Gómez used her position to obtain a senior chair role at Complutense University in Madrid and then channeled public funds into a software project that was later brought under her private control for personal enrichment, Bloomberg reported. Gómez has not responded publicly to the charges, while the Socialist Party has rejected the allegations and described the case as a political smear campaign. 

While Manos Limpias characterizes its campaigns as defending ethical standards in public life, the group has historically targeted its political opponents, according to the report, which also noted that rightwing religious organization Hazte Oír and the anti-immigrant party Vox have backed the efforts to bring Gómez to trial. 

When Gómez was formally placed under investigation in 2024, Sánchez said he had considered resigning but ultimately remained in office, arguing that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated, Bloomberg said. During a visit to China in mid-April, he said he expected time to “put everyone in their place” and called on the justice system to deliver justice. 

Read more at Bloomberg