Spanish Prime Minister’s Wife Ordered to Stand Trial for Corruption

A Spanish court has ordered Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial by jury for corruption and banned her from leaving the country, according to a court order released Saturday. The decision, issued by the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, marks the first time a sitting Spanish prime minister’s spouse has faced formal criminal proceedings, according to The Local Spain, which cited a court document.

The court’s order states that Gómez, 52, is accused of involvement in a network of alleged financial misconduct linked to real estate transactions and public procurement contracts. The charges, which include “fraudulent concealment of assets” and “abuse of public office,” stem from investigations into her business activities between 2016 and 2022, the court document said. A separate investigation into her husband, Prime Minister Sánchez, has been ongoing since 2023 but has not yet resulted in formal charges.

Legal Context and Procedural Details

The trial by jury, a rare procedural step in Spanish criminal cases, requires the prosecution to present evidence before a panel of 12 citizens. The court’s order also imposed a travel ban on Gómez, preventing her from departing Spain without judicial approval. This measure, typically used in cases involving flight risk or witness tampering, was justified by the court as necessary “to ensure the proper administration of justice,” according to the document.

Prosecutors in the case, part of the National Court’s anti-corruption unit, have not publicly commented on the charges. However, a statement from the Office of the Attorney General of the State, which oversees high-profile criminal investigations, confirmed the court’s decision but did not elaborate on the evidence. The office declined to provide further details, citing ongoing legal proceedings.

Political Implications and Public Reaction

The development has intensified scrutiny of the Spanish government’s handling of corruption allegations. Sánchez’s office has maintained that his wife’s legal issues are separate from his official duties, but the timing of the court’s order—just weeks before regional elections in Andalusia and Catalonia—has raised questions about its political impact. Opposition parties, including the center-right People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox, have called for transparency, with PP spokespersons accusing the government of “obstructing justice.”

Public reaction has been divided. Protests organized by anti-corruption groups outside the Supreme Court in Madrid demanded stricter oversight of political figures, while supporters of Sánchez argued the case reflects “a witch hunt” against his administration. A poll conducted by El País in June 2026 found