In a session of questioning to the government over a month ago, Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s words sound prophetic today. He warned Pedro Sánchez that if he believed he had put an end to the investigation into his wife’s professional activities, he was mistaken. This statement was in reference to Begoña Gómez, Pedro Sánchez’s wife, who was under scrutiny from the PP. Feijóo announced the possibility of a parliamentary and judicial investigation into matters affecting those close to Sánchez. The judicial investigation has now begun, following a complaint from an ultraright pseudo-union against Sánchez’s wife.
The PP is still trying to understand Pedro Sánchez’s decision to take time to consider his continuation in office. Some speculate that there may be a hidden political strategy behind his actions rather than a personal breakdown. The theory within the PP and among party leaders is that Sánchez is known for his political maneuvers and may be orchestrating a plan to regain public support and attention. The general sentiment is that Sánchez is not genuinely in crisis, but rather using a potential resignation as a strategic move.
Feijóo has been targeting Sánchez aggressively, comparing him to other controversial political figures and accusing him of a “show” and “authoritarian behavior”. The PP has been on the offensive, believing that Sánchez’s situation could benefit them politically. They anticipate that if Sánchez resigns, it would weaken the PSOE, and if he stays, public opinion might turn against him due to perceived manipulation. The unexpected turn of events has diverted attention from the PP’s recent electoral losses in the Basque Country and reinvigorated their political standing.
There is a strong push within the PP to continue pursuing investigations into Begoña Gómez’s professional activities, despite the potential risks of legal failure. The party believes they have not gone too far in targeting Sánchez’s wife and actually feel they have been restrained in their actions. While some members advocate for stronger measures, Feijóo has expanded the scope of inquiries into Gómez’s activities but hesitates to take legal action at the moment. The party fears that the case against Gómez may not hold up in court, but they have successfully exposed a vulnerability in Sánchez’s leadership.
The current political climate surrounding Sánchez’s decision has created uncertainty within the PP, as they navigate between various potential outcomes. While some anticipate a strategic move from Sánchez to regain public sympathy, others believe the situation could backfire for the PSOE. The PP remains committed to pressuring Sánchez for explanations and probing into his wife’s activities, seeing this as an opportunity to weaken their political rival. Despite the risks involved, the PP is determined to exploit the situation for their own advantage and leverage the weakness they have identified in Sánchez’s leadership.
