Thousands urge Spanish premier not to resign over graft allegations against his wife

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) - Thousands of people across Spain took part in support rallies on Sunday organized by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is thinking about resigning amid corruption allegations against his wife Begona Gomez.

Demonstrators in Madrid and Valencia voiced solidarity with slogans like "Stay, Sanchez" and "Sanchez, continue your duty."

Representatives of left-wing political parties and leaders of the country's two largest trade unions, UGT and CCOO, also attended the rallies.

Sanchez criticized opposition parties on Wednesday, saying they had collaborated with those circulating the claims against his wife, and announced that his decision would be revealed on April 29 with options including continuing in office, resigning, seeking a vote of confidence or announcing early elections.

Public broadcaster TVE said the announcement came after a probe by Investigative Court Number 41 of Madrid was initiated against Gomez for alleged crimes of influence peddling and business corruption. That was after a complaint from the right-wing Clean Hands trade union.

Sanchez, 52, the leader of the PSOE, has served as prime minister for three consecutive terms -- from 2018-2019, 2020-2023, and most recently with the minority left coalition government formed in November last year.

The Spanish press expects Sanchez to seek another vote of confidence from parliament as the most likely scenario.

If Sanchez resigns, a bill granting amnesty to Catalan separatist politicians currently being deliberated in the Senate and anticipated to be passed by May's end is unlikely to be approved.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi from Istanbul