Spain - August 2025

On 18 August, a lower court indicted Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on charges of embezzling public funds in connection with her work at the Complutense University of Madrid. Prosecutors allege she misused public resources to pay her personal assistant for non-academic duties, adding to ongoing investigations into influence peddling dating back to 2024. Prime Minister Sánchez denounced the case as politically motivated ‘lawfare,’ coming after other legal proceedings involving his brother. Sánchez had also previously filed a complaint against the judge that handles the case, alleging judicial misconduct; but this was dismissed by the Madrid High Court. The proceedings against Gómez were initiated by the far-right group Manos Limpias (known for filing corruption-related lawsuits), with backing from the Vox party and the advocacy group Hazte Oír (which typically campaigns against LGBTQIA+ and abortion rights in Spain). The case is ongoing.

Sources: EU Observer, Cadena SER, El País, EuropaPress