A Madrid court has overturned a decision requiring Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial before a jury on alleged public embezzlement, describing the move as ‘premature’.
The court stressed, however, that the investigation itself remains active.
The case is part of a series of inquiries involving members of Sánchez’s family and former close associates that have proved politically damaging for the socialist (PSOE) leader and intensified pressure on his minority coalition.
‘The decision taken by the investigating magistrate is premature and lacks factual, legal and procedural grounding,’ the court said in a ruling dated 20 February and released publicly on Monday.
The probe was opened in April 2024 by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who sought to determine whether Gómez used her position as the prime minister’s spouse for private gain.
In September 2025, Peinado ordered that Gómez be sent to a jury trial on charges of misappropriation of public funds linked to the hiring of an assistant who is also under investigation. ALSO READ: Wife of Spanish PM takes option to skip formal hearing of trial notification.
Gómez’s lawyer appealed that decision, citing an absence of evidence and challenging the judge’s reading of the criminal code.
Gómez has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. ALSO READ: Begoña Gómez, wife of Spain’s PM, denies embezzlement in new court hearing.
PM Sánchez has rejected the accusations against his wife, arguing they form part of an effort by the political right to destabilise his government, with opposition figures calling for his resignation. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘There are judges doing politics and politicians trying to do justice’.
Elsewhere, separate corruption investigations have implicated two former PSOE heavyweights — Santos Cerdán and former transport minister José Luis Ábalos — as well as the prime minister’s younger brother, David Sánchez. ALSO READ: Trial of Spanish PM’s brother for alleged corruption postponed until late May.
These legal challenges add to the difficulties facing Sánchez’s minority coalition government, which relies on protracted negotiations with a patchwork of smaller parties and regional separatist groups to push legislation through parliament. ALSO READ: Spain’s main opposition party claims the ruling socialists are in ‘irreversible decline’.
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La Audiencia Provincial de Madrid anula la decisión del juez Peinado para que un jurado juzgue a Begoña Gómez al entender que no ha recabado “indicios concluyentes y consistentes” para seguir adelante por este procedimiento.https://t.co/1ZwTnNjAO0 pic.twitter.com/U5Q6aWI32q
— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) February 23, 2026
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