World

Spain's Sanchez decides to stay on as prime minister

By AAP Newswire

Apr 29, 2024

Pedro Sanchez and Begona Gomez — Pedro Sanchez, pictured with his wife Begona Gomez, is staying on as Spain's Prime Minister. -AP

Days after abruptly announcing he was considering his future following the launch of a corruption investigation against his wife, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says he has decided to continue in office.

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The centre-left prime minister, 52, had surprised foes and allies alike when he said on Wednesday he was taking time from public duty to consider quitting.

He described the court investigation of his wife Begona Gomez for influence peddling and business corruption as orchestrated by his opponents.

Sanchez met King Felipe VI on Monday - a step that would have been necessary should he have decided to resign - but announced in a televised address that he had informed the monarch of his decision to stay on.

He had been encouraged to stay by widespread expressions of support at the weekend, Sanchez said.

"I have decided to go on, if possible even stronger as prime minister," he said in a national broadcast.

"This is not business as usual - things are going to be different."

His announcement that he might quit had caused further turmoil in politics in Spain, where a fractious parliament has struggled to form coalition governments after close elections.

Should a new election have been required, it would have been the fourth in five years.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press