Spain's Sanchez confirms he will remain as PM, vows 'more strength'
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The PM has informed King Felipe IV of his decision to remain in his position despite the roaming allegations against his wife committing influence peddling and corruption.
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Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez poses for a portrait after an interview for the Associated Press at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, June 27, 2022 (AP)
After a tense Monday morning, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced his decision to remain the country's prime minister after taking time off to contemplate the path of his future in the country's politics.
He revealed that he also informed King Felipe VI of his decision.
The 52-year-old surprised the country and the world when he declared on Wednesday that he was going to take a few days off from public duty and the public eye as he is considering leaving his post as PM.
Just yesterday, thousands of Spaniards took to the streets to rally in support of Sanchez and urge him not to resign from his position.
Demonstrators gathered outside the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), rallying in solidarity with the Prime Minister. Among them were families chanting slogans and carrying Spanish flags and PSOE party banners. Many voiced their support for Sanchez through anthems and songs, according to a RIA Novosti correspondent.
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This follows his initial announcement on Wednesday after he decided to suspend his public activities and duties to mull over his possible resignation when a Madrid court launched an investigation against his wife, under alleged influence peddling and business corruption allegations.
Known for being outspoken in his support of occupied Palestine, Sanchez noted that the outlets behind the accusations and whose heads are being brought in to testify in court are "outlets with marked right-wing and ultra-right-wing leanings."
Sanchez proclaimed, "This is an operation of harassment and destruction by earth, sea, and sky with the intention of weakening me politically and personally by attacking my wife," adding, "I am not naive. I know that Begona is being accused not because she has done something illegal – they know this isn't the case – but because she is my wife."
