Judge again seeks jury trial for Spanish PM's wife

A judge who has investigated Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez for two years for alleged corruption made a fresh attempt to send her to a jury trial on Wednesday.

The probe led by Juan Carlos Peinado is one of several corruption affairs that have embroiled the Socialist leader's family and former political allies, casting doubt on the survival of his minority coalition government.

Peinado opened an investigation in April 2024 to determine whether Gomez had exploited her position as Sanchez's wife for private benefit, which she and the prime minister deny.

A previous decision by Peinado to send Gomez to a jury trial on charges of public embezzlement linked to the hiring of an assistant, who is also under investigation, was overturned on appeal in February.

The Madrid court said the order was "premature and lacks factual, legal and procedural grounding", recommending the probe return to a preliminary stage.

Peinado formally notified the parties on Wednesday of a reformulated request for a jury trial for alleged embezzlement, influence peddling and corruption, a legal source said.

Gomez did not respond to the summons at the court in Madrid as is her right. She was represented by her defence team, who again asked for the investigation to be shelved, the source added.

Sanchez has dismissed the allegations against his wife as an attempt to undermine his government by the right, which has demanded his resignation.

His brother David Sanchez as well as former close ally and ex-transport minister Jose Luis Abalos will go on trial in separate corruption cases, maintaining pressure on the government.