Key facts
- Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will stand trial.
- Gómez faces charges of influence peddling and corruption.
- A judge ordered Gómez to surrender her passport.
- Gómez must report to court twice monthly.
- The judge cited flight risk as a reason for the court orders.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is attending an EU summit.
- Sánchez called for a more integrated and financially capable European Union.
- Sánchez advocated for trade diversification and dialogue with other regions.
- Sánchez's stance contrasts with tougher approaches towards China from some member states.
Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is to stand trial on charges of influence peddling and corruption. A judge has ordered Gómez to surrender her passport and to report to court twice a month. The judge cited flight risk as a reason for these measures. This development comes as Prime Minister Sánchez is attending an EU summit where he is advocating for a more integrated and financially capable European Union. He called for greater trade diversification and dialogue with other regions, presenting a vision of an 'Europe Open to the World.' This stance contrasts with a tougher approach towards China being considered by some member states.
The charges against Begoña Gómez stem from allegations related to her business dealings. The investigation has led to a judicial order for her to surrender her passport and to make regular court appearances, indicating the seriousness with which the case is being treated. The court's decision to proceed to trial suggests sufficient evidence has been presented to warrant further legal proceedings. The dual focus on the legal challenges faced by the Prime Minister's wife and his diplomatic efforts at the EU summit highlights a period of significant domestic and international pressure for Pedro Sánchez.