Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez suspends public duties to 'reflect'

Sanchez has said he is considering resigning from his position as his wife Begoña Gómez is accused of corruption.

Transcript

00:00 Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has suspended public duties and says he will take

00:07 time to stop and reflect on whether to remain in the job.

00:12 That comes after a court opened a preliminary corruption inquiry into his wife.

00:18 But some opposition politicians were quick to criticise the move, saying Sánchez was

00:23 betting on victimisation and pity.

00:26 "We believe that instead of disappearing for five days, the president must appear urgently

00:33 to give a reasonable explanation of the scandals surrounding his party, his government and his

00:40 partner."

00:41 "It is unknown whether Pedro Sánchez will announce his resignation as president of the

00:45 government or whether he will remain in the executive branch.

00:49 One of the options is that he raises a matter of trust in Congress so that the Parliamentary

00:53 Council can grant him support so that he can continue in government.

00:59 Another option is that he announces his resignation and proposes another socialist candidate.

01:04 But this would lead to the opening of consultations with the head of state and the new candidate

01:09 would have to submit to a vote of no confidence in the Congress of Deputies.

01:15 Pedro Sánchez could also announce that he will remain in government until May 29, a

01:20 deadline in which, by law, he could call for new general elections that would be held

01:26 in July.

01:28 Whatever the decision of the president of the government, Pedro Sánchez has once again

01:33 skipped the Spanish political board and his decision will undoubtedly mark the next electoral

01:38 cycle.

01:39 In Madrid, Jaime Velázquez, Euronews.

01:42 [WHOOSH]