President Pedro Sánchez attended a rally in Benalmádena (Málaga) with his wife, Begoña Gómez, despite her recent judicial summons for investigation in a case of alleged influence peddling. The Socialist Party reacted to the situation by mobilizing their supporters against what they called “dirty politics”. Sánchez called on all left-wing and progressive voters to cast a massive vote against these actions. The Government ministers expressed their displeasure with the timing of the judicial decision, but avoided direct confrontation with the judge involved.
The People’s Party (PP) seized on the opportunity to attack the Government, accusing them of corruption, influence peddling, and misuse of funds. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo painted a grim picture of Spain on the brink of disaster, with all those close to Sánchez under investigation. He criticized the President for his behavior, labeling him as engaging in deception and populism, and attacking the judiciary. The PP’s rhetoric escalated, with accusations of insults and manipulation from the Government, comparing Sánchez to Donald Trump and accusing him of wanting a country of servitude.
The PP’s focus on the case of Begoña Gómez was a deliberate strategy to boost their flagging election campaign, and the judicial summons provided them with the ammunition they needed. They aimed to portray the Government as mired in corruption on all fronts, and their messaging reflected this emphasis. Judicial associations also criticized Sánchez for questioning the motives of the judge, while the minor party partner in the Government expressed discomfort with the President’s response. Sumar, the minor partner, has been highlighting their differences with the PSOE throughout the campaign.
Criticism also came from the judiciary, with moderate and conservative judicial associations condemning Sánchez’s comments about the timing of the judicial decision. Within the Government, the minor partner has been cautious about being caught between the PSOE and Podemos, and they have called for concrete actions rather than philosophical reflections. Calls for judicial reform have been reiterated by various parties, including Sumar, ERC, and Podemos. The independentists and Podemos criticize Sánchez for denying the existence of political persecution through the legal system in Spain.
Despite facing challenges and criticism, Pedro Sánchez stood firm in the face of adversity, with his wife by his side, at the campaign rally in Benalmádena. The Socialist Party responded with unity and resolve, rallying their supporters against what they see as an attempt to undermine their campaign. The PP’s attempts to capitalize on the situation by painting a picture of widespread corruption faced pushback from various political actors, including the judiciary and minor partners in the Government. The dynamics of the electoral campaign leading up to the European elections reflect a tense and polarized political landscape in Spain.
