Begoña Gómez, the wife of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, appeared before the judge on Friday, but she refused to answer questions about allegations of corruption and influence peddling in a case that prompted her husband to consider resigning in April.
Friday’s appearance in Madrid is part of a preliminary investigation into whether Gomez used her position as the prime minister’s wife to secure sponsors for a master’s degree program she was leading.
“This procedure has no purpose at this time,” his lawyer and former Interior Minister Antonio Camacho told reporters.after Gomez left the court.
“She has not testified not because she has anything to hide, not because she does not want to give explanations, but because this defense has recommended that she not make this statement.”
Gomez was allowed to enter and exit the court through the underground parking lot, avoiding dozens of journalists outside.
She has not made any public comments on the case, but Sanchez has vehemently denied the accusations against her, saying they were unfounded and orchestrated by right-wing political enemies.
In late April, Sanchez took a five-day break from his duties to consider whether to resign after the court opened the investigation, but ultimately decided to stay.
The case was initiated through a unique Spanish legal instrument, the “popular accusation,” which allows individuals to file criminal complaints against third parties. Judges can decide whether or not to act, and not all allegations have led to a judicial investigation.
The complaint against Gomez was filed by Manos Limpias, an anti-corruption association led by Miguel Bernad, a lawyer and politician who has run as a candidate for a far-right party in the European elections.
Another far-right party, Vox also joined the complaint and its lawyer, MEP Jorge Buxade, told reporters that he will ask the investigating judge to call Sánchez to testify.
The investigation seeks to assess Gómez’s conduct since Sánchez became prime minister in 2018, the court said.
Contracts involving EU funds will be investigated separately by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
