Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez Reflects on Leadership Amid Probe Against Wife

Published: 24 April 2024 at 20:15

Politics

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain announced a pause in his public duties to contemplate his role following a court probe into his wife for influence peddling and corruption, initiated by far-right group Clean Hands. Sanchez will reveal his decision on Monday and stated his wife will cooperate with the investigation. The opposition views this as a strategic move by Sanchez amidst his coalition government's delicate majority. The investigation stems from complaints by right-wing sources, notably affecting Sanchez's contemplation on continuing to lead the government.

DEEP DIVE

Pedro Sánchez (Wikipedia)

Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpeðɾo ˈsantʃeθ ˈpeɾeθ kasteˈxon]; born 29 February 1972) is a Spanish politician who has been Prime Minister of Spain since June 2018. He has also been Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) since June 2017, having previously held that office from 2014 to 2016, and was elected President of the Socialist International in November 2022.Sánchez began his political career in 2004 as a city councillor in Madrid, before being elected to the Congress of Deputies in 2009. In 2014, he was elected Secretary-General of the PSOE, becoming Leader of the Opposition. He led the party through the inconclusive 2015 and 2016 general elections, but resigned as Secretary-General shortly after the latter, following public disagreements with the party's executive. He was re-elected in a leadership election eight months later, defeating internal rivals Susana Díaz and Patxi López.On 1 June 2018, the PSOE called a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, successfully passing the motion after winning the support of Unidas Podemos, as well as various regionalist and nationalist parties. Sánchez was appointed prime minister by King Felipe VI the following day. He went on to lead the PSOE to gain 38 seats in the April 2019 general election, the PSOE's first national victory since 2008, although they fell short of a majority. After talks to form a government failed, Sánchez again won the most votes at the November 2019 general election, forming a minority coalition government with Unidas Podemos, the first national coalition government since the country's return to democracy. After the PSOE suffered significant losses in regional elections in May 2023, Sánchez called a snap general election, which saw the PSOE hold all of its seats; despite finishing second behind the People's Party, Sánchez was able to again form a coalition government, and was appointed to a third term as Prime Minister on 17 November 2023.

Spanish Judge Reopens Probe into Suspected Phone Spying on Prime Minister

A Spanish judge has reopened an investigation into the alleged spying on the cellphone of Spain's prime minister after collaborating with a similar French investigation. The probes involve the use of Pegasus spyware by the Israeli NSO Group, known for targeting activists and journalists in 50 countries. Spain and France are actively investigating cases of alleged espionage involving high-profile government officials like Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prime Minister of Spain (Wikipedia)

The prime minister of Spain, officially president of the Government (Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno), is the head of government of Spain. The prime minister chairs the Council of Ministers and nominates its ministers; in these sense, the prime minister establishes the Government policies and coordinates the actions of the Cabinet members. As chief executive, the prime minister also advises the monarch on the exercise of their royal prerogatives.Although it is not possible to determine when the position actually originated, the office of prime minister has evolved throughout history to what it is today. It was formally regulated for the first time in 1823, when King Ferdinand VII appointed his Secretary of State (the name that the position received then) as chair of the extant Council of Ministers. The current office was established during the reign of King Juan Carlos I, in the Constitution of 1978 which describes the prime minister's constitutional role and powers, how the prime minister accedes to, and is removed from office, and the relationship between the prime minister and Parliament.Upon a vacancy, the monarch nominates a candidate for a vote of confidence by the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the Cortes Generales. The process is a parliamentary investiture by which the head of government is indirectly elected by the elected Congress of Deputies. In practice, the prime minister is almost always the leader of the largest party in the Congress, although not necessarily. The prime minister's official residence and office is Moncloa Palace in Madrid.Pedro Sánchez, of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), has been prime minister since 2 June 2018, after a successful motion of no confidence against former prime minister Mariano Rajoy. Since then, Sánchez has chaired three different cabinets, the most —along with Adolfo Suárez— just behind fellow socialist Felipe González, prime minister from 1982 to 1996. King Felipe VI re-appointed Sánchez for the third time on 17 November 2023 after he reached a government agreement with political coalition Sumar and gathered the support of other minor parties. His third government took office on 21 November 2023.

Third government of Pedro Sánchez (Wikipedia)

The third government of Pedro Sánchez was formed on 21 November 2023, following the latter's election as Prime Minister of Spain by the Congress of Deputies on 16 November and his swearing-in on 17 November, as a result of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and Sumar being able to muster a majority of seats in the Parliament with external support from Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), Together for Catalonia (Junts), EH Bildu, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG) and Canarian Coalition (CCa) following the 2023 general election. It succeeded the second Sánchez government and is the incumbent Government of Spain since 21 November 2023, a total of 156 days.The cabinet comprises members of the PSOE (including its sister party, the Socialists' Party of Catalonia, PSC) and Sumar—with the involvement of Unite Movement (SMR), United Left (IU), the Communist Party of Spain (PCE), More Madrid (MM) and Catalonia in Common (CatComú)—as well as independents proposed by both parties.

Spain's Lower House Approves Amnesty Bill for Catalan Separatists Involved in 2017 Secession Attempt

Spain's lower house of parliament has approved an amnesty bill aimed at forgiving crimes proven and alleged by Catalan separatists during the 2017 independence referendum. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez views this as a step towards moving past the secession attempt, but faces opposition from many Spaniards who believe the instigators should face charges. The bill follows pardons for nine jailed Catalan leaders. The 2017 crisis involved a referendum on independence led by Carles Puigdemont, resulting in clashes with police and a failed declaration of independence. Puigdemont and other leaders are abroad facing prosecution threats.

Nadia Calviño (Wikipedia)

Nadia María Calviño Santamaría (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnaðja kalˈβiɲo]; born 3 October 1968) is a Spanish economist and civil servant serving as the President of the European Investment Bank since January 2024. She previously served as the First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain from July 2021 and Minister of Economy from 2018 to December 2023 under prime minister Pedro Sánchez. In 2020, the post was renamed as Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. In the 15th legislature, which began in November 2023, she was part of the government as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise.Calviño started her career in different positions within the Ministry of Economy and in 2006 took up a post at the European Commission. She worked in several directorates-general and in 2014 was appointed Director-General for Budget (DG BUDG). She held this post until June 2018, when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appointed her as Minister of Economy and Business. In 2020, he promoted her to deputy prime minister.

Spain approves plan for reparation and economic compensation for sex abuse victims connected to the Catholic Church

Spain has approved a plan to compensate victims of sex abuse by individuals linked to the Catholic Church, with an estimated 440,000 adults affected, half of whom were abused by clergy. The compensation, funded by the church, aims to address past negligence and provide legal assistance over the next four years. Despite approval, Spain's Bishops Conference has criticized the plan for alleged discrimination against victims outside church circles. The government intends to collaborate with the church to implement the plan, which includes a public act of recognition and prevention measures in schools.