The government spokesperson castigates the right-wing and far-right parties who attack Begona Gomez.
A Spanish court has summoned the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as part of a corruption investigation that the government has denounced as a political stunt.
Begona Gomez is due in court on July 5 to answer questions over allegations she used her position to influence business deals, a Madrid court heard on Tuesday.
Gomez has yet to publicly address the matter, but Sanchez has called it a “smear campaign” aimed at harming the left-wing coalition government led by his Socialist Workers’ Party.
Spanish government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria told reporters Tuesday that the investigation involving Gomez was based on “lies and disinformation” and that the government knew “there was absolutely nothing here.” .
“Here we have a smear campaign led by the right and the far right, the People’s Party and Vox,” she said after the weekly cabinet meeting.
The investigation is based on allegations made by a group called Manos Limpias, or Clean Hands.
The group filed lawsuits, many of which were linked to right-wing causes and targeted left-wing politicians. Manos Limpias, who has seen many of his cases against politicians fail, said his complaint was based on media reports.
After the investigation was launched in April, the Prime Minister made the decision unprecedented step to say he would take a break from public office to consider whether he would resign from his position.
After five days of silence, Sánchez declared in a speech that he decided to remain Prime Minister and continue “with even more force”.
Spanish prosecutors had sought to close the investigation, but a provincial court ruled that the lower court judge could continue the investigation. The judge can now either suspend the corruption investigation or recommend that the case go to trial.
The announcement of Gomez’s summons was made a few days before the start of elections to elect the next European Parliament. Spanish citizens vote on Sunday.
