Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Monday, the 29th of April, after a five-day period of reflection, that he will not resign, despite a corruption investigation involving his wife and initiated by a far-right group well known for filing unfounded lawsuits against progressives, reports Politico.
Although prosecutors called for the case to be dropped and legal experts deemed it unfounded, the court’s acceptance of the complaint had a profound effect on Sanchez. In response to the continued attacks on him and his family by right-wing groups, he revealed in a four-page letter last week that he was considering resigning.
“I have decided to continue, if possible more stronger, as Prime Minister,”
he said in a national address.
During his speech, Sanchez denounced the toxic political environment in Spain, saying that politics is not worth it if we accept that attacks on innocent people are part of it, stressing that nothing justifies the suffering inflicted on loved ones.
Sanchez received widespread support from his Socialist Party and thousands of supporters who urged him not to resign. Although he acknowledged that the attacks against him and his family would not stop, he expressed his gratitude for the solidarity that had been shown from various quarters.
Sanchez’s decision to remain in office alleviates fears of political unrest in Spain, avoiding a possible period of unprecedented uncertainty.
In the absence of a clear successor and the lack of support to form an alternative government for opposition Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, his resignation would have led to the establishment of a caretaker administration until new elections could be held. This could leave Spain without strong representation on important European Union issues.
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