Pedro Sánchez has instructed his team to stop yielding to judicial pressure after a judge targeted his wife. The government now defends key figures and prepares for a combative end to the legislative term.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has issued a clear directive to his closest team: no more concessions to judicial investigations unless faced with irrefutable evidence. This move comes after Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ordered a trial and passport withdrawal for Begoña Gómez, Sánchez's wife, and suggested that her police escorts could aid in her escape—an assertion that drew criticism even from the police union Jupol, which is typically distant from the government.
The government is now closing ranks, preparing for a tough final stretch of the legislative term. Sánchez plans to deliver a forceful speech in Congress, directly challenging the Partido Popular (PP) and arguing that parts of the judiciary are unfairly targeting his family. The instruction is to defend key figures, including José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, and to avoid further political casualties unless absolutely necessary, as was the case with Santos Cerdán and José Luis Ábalos in the past.
Zapatero, recently defended by Sánchez in Brussels, has become a symbol of this new stance. The judge's decision has reinforced claims within the executive of a coordinated judicial, political, and media campaign against the government—a narrative voiced by ministers Óscar Puente and Óscar López. The atmosphere ahead of Sánchez's upcoming parliamentary appearance is tense, with the prime minister urging his party to regain morale and go on the offensive.
Recent history shows Sánchez has not hesitated to distance himself from party members under investigation, as seen with Ábalos and later Cerdán. However, he now draws a line, vowing to support Zapatero and other officials such as Mercedes González, director general of the Guardia Civil, and Ana María Fuentes, the PSOE's manager, both under scrutiny for their roles in ongoing cases.
Within the government, there is discomfort over the controversy surrounding Zapatero's acceptance of jewelry valued at €1.3 million, reportedly a gift from an Arab monarchy. Some officials privately express disappointment, awaiting Zapatero's public explanation. Yet, the prevailing view is that the political stakes outweigh the optics of the jewelry case, especially when compared to scandals involving figures from the opposition, such as the financial gains of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's partner.
There is growing belief among ministers that the case against Zapatero could be annulled, as it reportedly hinges on evidence—specifically, mobile phone data from a Venezuelan national—potentially obtained without proper judicial authorization in the US. The government trusts Zapatero's legal defense and sees the case as both a legal and political battle, with elections on the horizon and the left's morale at a low point according to recent polls.
Sánchez is preparing to highlight the government's achievements since 2018 and contrast them with the PP's record, including references to corruption cases linked to the party's headquarters. The strategy is to frame the current wave of judicial actions as part of a broader attempt to destabilize the government, rather than isolated incidents of wrongdoing.
Internally, ministers argue that now is not the time for self-criticism or further resignations. The focus is on resisting what they describe as a serious operation to unseat the government by any means. Even the possibility of Zapatero handing over the jewelry to the state, as is customary with expensive gifts, remains unresolved, with Sánchez deferring the decision to Zapatero himself.
For context, Spain's political landscape has seen increasing tension between the executive and judiciary in recent years, with high-profile corruption cases affecting both major parties. The PSOE and PP have each faced scrutiny over the conduct of senior figures, and public trust in institutions has fluctuated accordingly. The outcome of these latest developments could influence the balance of power ahead of the next general elections, currently expected in 2027 but with the possibility of an earlier call.
