Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stands by Mercedes González, director of the Guardia Civil, after she is summoned as an investigated party for opening internal probes into leaks. The government sees no evidence of wrongdoing and rules out resignations.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has made it clear that Mercedes González, director of the Guardia Civil, will remain in her post despite being summoned as an investigated party by the Audiencia Nacional. The case centers on González's decision to open internal investigations into leaks from the UCO, the elite Central Operative Unit, which was handling sensitive cases involving Sánchez's own family members. According to government sources, there is no evidence of irregular conduct, and Sánchez has ruled out any resignations unless clear proof of wrongdoing emerges.
The investigation, led by Judge Santiago Pedraz, follows accusations from the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office that González ordered internal disciplinary proceedings as a means to pressure the UCO. The context involves leaks of private emails belonging to Begoña Gómez, the prime minister’s wife, and David Sánchez, his brother, which were published by OKDiario. These emails were among thousands held by the UCO as part of an inquiry into alleged favoritism in Badajoz. The government maintains that opening an internal probe into such leaks is both legitimate and standard practice, especially since the cases were closed without sanctions and with judicial oversight.
Despite mounting pressure and calls for her resignation from several Guardia Civil associations, González continues her official duties and is reportedly preparing to explain her actions in court. Her team insists she has never interfered with any investigation or targeted members of the force, emphasizing her commitment to modernizing and supporting the institution. Within the government, the prevailing view is that the accusations do not constitute a criminal offense, particularly as none of the internal cases resulted in disciplinary action.
The approach marks a shift from previous PSOE policy, where political figures often resigned immediately upon being named as investigated parties. Notably, Sánchez previously demanded the resignation of Culture Minister Màxim Huerta in 2018 over a tax issue and pushed José Luis Ábalos to give up his seat before any formal charges. Now, the government argues that only clear evidence of misconduct should prompt resignations, pointing to the lack of such evidence in the current cases involving González, the PSOE’s manager, and the SEPI president.
Government officials acknowledge that meeting with Leire Díez, and later concealing those meetings, was a political misstep for González. However, they distinguish between political errors and criminal acts, rejecting the notion that the internal investigations amounted to a campaign against the UCO. The government also notes a potential conflict of interest, as the UCO is both the subject and the source of the allegations.
For context, the Guardia Civil is Spain’s oldest law enforcement agency, with a dual military and civilian role. The UCO specializes in complex criminal investigations, often involving corruption and organized crime. Internal probes into leaks are not uncommon in Spanish law enforcement, especially when sensitive information is involved. The current case highlights ongoing tensions between political leadership and investigative units, as well as the evolving standards for political accountability in Spain. The outcome of the investigation could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly regarding the threshold for resignations and the balance between internal discipline and judicial oversight.
