What We're Watching

Spain’s prime minister isn’t going anywhere

​Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez gives a statement to annonunce he will stay on as Prime Minister after weighing his exit from the Spanish government, at Moncloa palace in Madrid, Spain April 29, 2024.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez gives a statement to annonunce he will stay on as Prime Minister after weighing his exit from the Spanish government, at Moncloa palace in Madrid, Spain April 29, 2024.
Borja Puig de la Bellacasa/Pool via REUTERS

After nearly a week of uncertainty, Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, announced he would remain the country’s leader. Last Wednesday, he threatened to leave the position because of what he termed a “harassment and bullying operation” being waged against him and his wife by political and media enemies.

The move came hours after a Madrid court opened an investigation into his wife, Begoña Gómez, for influence peddling and corruption. The trial was brought by Manos Limpias, a self-styled trade union with far-right links, who accused Gómez of using her influence to secure sponsors for a university master’s degree course she runs. Madrid's public prosecutor asked Thursday that the case against her be closed.

Sánchez’s threat to resign spurred demonstrations around Spain over the weekend calling for him to stay put. More than 10,000 people gathered in front of the Socialist Party’s headquarters in Madrid in a show of support.

Sánchez attributed his decision to stay to this weekend’s mobilizations, and he has called for Spaniards to rise above “the global reactionary movement that wants to impose its retrograde agenda through defamation and falsehoods.”

More For You

- YouTube

In his latest “ask ian,” Ian Bremmer says the fight for Senate control is driving Democrats to make tough political tradeoffs as primary season unfolds.

- YouTube

In his latest Quick Take, Ian Bremmer says the Iran ceasefire is “holding on by a thread” as renewed strikes and proxy attacks undermine hopes for a broader deal.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attends a Civil Contract party campaign rally ahead of the June 7 parliamentary election in Yerevan, Armenia June 5, 2026.
Hayk Baghdasaryan/Photolure via REUTERS

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has won a commanding election victory on a pro-Western platform, cementing the country's pivot away from Moscow with fresh deals signed with Washington this year.