Spanish PM’s Malta Visit Overshadowed by Court Order Against Wife
In a surprising turn of events, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez found himself in the midst of a political storm this week, not in Madrid, but in the heart of Malta’s capital, Valletta. As he attended the EU-Mediterranean Conference, news broke that a Spanish court had issued an order against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for not paying a €600 fine. The order, which allows for Gómez’s detention, has been widely criticized by Sánchez’s party, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), as exceeding ‘all reasonable limits’.
From Valletta to Madrid: A Political Storm Brews
Sánchez, who was in Malta to discuss regional cooperation and migration, found himself fielding questions about the court order rather than the EU summit. The order, issued by a court in Madrid, stems from a protest Gómez participated in during the 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia. The protest turned violent, leading to charges against Gómez and others. While she was initially fined, the court has now ordered her detention for not paying the fine.
Back in Spain, the PSOE has condemned the court’s decision, arguing that it’s politically motivated. They point out that Gómez, who was not a public figure at the time, was merely exercising her right to protest. The party has accused the conservative Popular Party (PP) of using the court system to target Sánchez and his family.
Malta’s Reaction: A Tale of Two Cities
Malta, known for its political stability and neutrality, has been an interesting backdrop to this political drama unfolding in Spain. While local politicians have been cautious not to comment on Spain’s internal affairs, social media in Malta has been abuzz with discussions about the order and its potential impact on Sánchez’s leadership.
In the narrow streets of Valletta, where Sánchez was seen walking with EU leaders, locals were more interested in discussing the EU summit’s outcomes than the Spanish PM’s personal woes. However, in the bustling bars of Paceville, where Spanish expats often gather, the conversation was decidedly different. Many expressed shock and dismay at the court’s decision, seeing it as a clear attempt to undermine Sánchez’s government.
: What’s Next for Sánchez?
As Sánchez returns to Madrid, he faces a challenging political scene. The order against his wife has reignited tensions in Spain, with some calling for the court to reverse its decision and others demanding that Sánchez take stronger action against the PP. The PSOE has called for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation, suggesting that the party is prepared to take a hard line against what they see as political persecution.
Sánchez, for his part, has remained calm and focused on the EU summit’s outcomes. However, the court order has clearly rattled him. In a press conference in Valletta, he was seen checking his phone, presumably for updates on the situation in Spain. As he prepares to face the music back home, one thing is clear: this political storm is far from over.
