A new scandal is unfolding in the Spanish capital involving Begoña Gómez, the wife of the prime minister. This week, she is set to appear in court, where a fifth charge, brought by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, will be heard. The investigation, ongoing since last spring, covers a broad range of possible violations related to her professional activities.
The main focus is on her duties as one of the directors of master’s programs and a special chair at Complutense University in Madrid. As the case has progressed, the judge has repeatedly expanded the list of charges, despite criticism from higher judicial authorities for overstepping his powers. Now, an additional accusation concerning the improper use of public funds has been added to the existing charges.
A key figure in the investigation is Cristina Álvarez, who worked with Gómez for many years in Moncloa. The inquiry is looking into how her responsibilities were assigned and to what extent they were connected to the academic projects of the prime minister’s wife. Álvarez was initially questioned as a witness, but her status later changed, and she is now also a suspect in the case. Other individuals are also mentioned in the case files, including the prime minister himself.
The court proceedings are marked by numerous appeals from both the defense and the prosecution. In particular, the legality of changing Álvarez’s status from witness to suspect is being contested, as well as demands for access to Gómez’s official correspondence in recent years. Although some complaints were partially upheld, the court supported the main direction of the investigation, leaving the key charges in place.
In the coming days, Begoña Gómez plans to testify regarding a new episode related to the appointment and activities of her assistant. The questions concern not only the distribution of duties, but also possible overlaps of interest between government and personal projects. The trial promises to be challenging, and its outcome remains unpredictable.
