On April 13, 2026, a Spanish court officially charged Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with four criminal counts including embezzlement, influence peddling, and corruption. The indictment follows a two year investigation led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado into her business dealings and her role at Madrid's Complutense University. The judge ruled that there are sufficient indications that public funds and private business interests were improperly managed for her professional benefit.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stood firmly by his wife, dismissing the charges as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by right wing opponents to destabilize his government. The timing of the announcement has caused a stir, as it occurred while the couple was on an official diplomatic visit to China. Government officials have expressed outrage, claiming the judicial move was intentionally timed to cause maximum political damage on the international stage.

The legal process now moves toward a decision on whether to proceed with a full oral trial, which could pose a significant threat to the stability of the current Spanish administration. Meanwhile, opposition parties are intensifying their calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation, citing the gravity of the charges. This development adds to the mounting legal pressure on the Sánchez family, following separate investigations into his brother for similar allegations.