• A Spanish court has mandated Begona Gomez, wife of PM Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial for corruption.
• Gomez has been barred from leaving Spain and must report to court bi-weekly.
• The case involves allegations of embezzlement and misuse of her position for private gain.
• This ruling adds to growing political pressure on Sanchez's minority coalition government.
• Other allies of Sanchez are also facing separate corruption investigations, heightening tensions.

A Spanish court has ordered the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Begona Gomez, to stand trial by jury on multiple corruption charges and has imposed a travel ban preventing her from leaving the country. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado directed Gomez to surrender her passport and mandated her appearance in court twice monthly until a verdict is rendered, as stated in the court order released on June 20. This ruling underscores the potential for political turmoil within Sanchez’s minority coalition government, according to SCMP and Le Monde.

The allegations against Gomez include embezzlement, influence peddling, and misappropriation of funds, focusing particularly on her role in the management of a chair at Madrid's Complutense University. The investigation commenced following a complaint lodged by an anti-corruption group with noted far-right ties. The judge highlighted that the university chair was allegedly used to benefit private interests, although Gomez and Sanchez have consistently denied any wrongdoing. The charges have triggered significant political debates, especially as Sanchez’s Socialist Party contends that Gomez has been subject to a campaign of political persecution, reports India Times and Channel News Asia.

This court decision comes at a time of rising scrutiny surrounding Sanchez's administration, with multiple corruption investigations involving his close allies. Notably, his former transport minister and other officials are under investigation for alleged kickbacks in relation to public works and pandemic-related contracts, further intensifying pressure on the prime minister. The political landscape remains volatile, with calls from opposition parties for Sanchez's resignation and early elections growing louder, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

Sanchez, however, has rebutted claims of wrongdoing in connection with these investigations. He argues that the various corruption cases, including pending trials involving other prominent figures, have been politically motivated attempts to destabilize his government, as indicated by multiple sources, including SCMP and Al Jazeera.