Pedro Sánchez halts public duties to 'consider' future as Spanish PM
Leader to announce on Monday next steps after wife under corruption investigation
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has halted his public duties until Monday to "consider" his future in the role after a judge in Madrid opened a corruption investigation into Begoña Gómez, his wife.
"Is all of this worth it? Sincerely, I do not know," Sánchez wrote in a letter addressed to "citizens" and shared on social media.
"It is vital for me to answer the question of whether it is worth it, despite the plan of the right-wing parties and far-right parties to make politics something muddy. If I have to continue heading the Spanish government or step back from this high honor. Despite the image the right-wing parties and far-right parties have tried to paint of me, I have never wanted to attach myself to the role," he added.
Sánchez ends his letter by saying that he will "continue to work, but I will cancel my public agenda some days to consider and decide what path to take."
On Monday, April 29, the Spanish PM will address the media to "announce my decision."
On Wednesday, a court in Madrid opened a corruption investigation into Begoña Gómez, Pedro Sánchez's wife, after taking into consideration a complaint filed by Manos Limpias, a far-right organization on alleged traffic of influences and business corruption.
"Begoña will defend her honor and will collaborate with the judicial system in all of what is required," Sánchez wrote.
"It is all a ground, sea, and air assault operation to take me down on a political but personal level, attacking my wife," he continued.
Sánchez has taken the opportunity to express his discontent with the leader of the conservative People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and Vox's far-right leader Santiago Abascal for "trying to take away the humanity and legitimacy of a political contender via fake and scandalous complaints," he wrote.