Pedro Sanchez must be investigated over his role in bailing out Air Europa, a court has ruled.
Spain’s High Court of Justice in Madrid (TSJM) has upheld its order instructing the government to investigate the prime minister over his role in the rescue of the airline and possible links to the business activity of his wife, Begoña Gómez.
The court’s Sixth Section of the Administrative Chamber confirmed that its June ruling is now final, after the 30-day window to appeal before the Supreme Court expired without action.
The ruling requires the Office of Conflict of Interest, which operates under the Ministry for Digital Transformation headed by Oscar Lopez, to handle the case and reach a reasoned decision.
Government says investigation is already closed
Sources inside the government, speaking to Antena 3 Noticias, said that the office had already examined the matter and found no evidence of conflict of interest, in effect, clearing Sanchez.
However, the court stresses that the office must formally process the complaint, assess the evidence requested, and issue a motivated resolution, whether that means shelving the case or pursuing further action.
PP claims Sanchez should have stepped aside
The complaint was originally filed by the opposition Partido Popular (PP), which argued that Sanchez should have abstained from participating in Cabinet meetings that approved the Air Europa bailout, given that it could have affected the ‘personal interests’ of his wife.
The judges concluded that the PP was within its rights to lodge such a complaint, and that the Office of Conflict of Interest is obliged to carry out a proper investigation before deciding whether or not to dismiss it.
The Air Europa bailout: €475 million lifeline
At the heart of the dispute is the €475 million rescue package granted to Air Europa in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The deal was approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers and made Air Europa the first company to benefit from the government’s Strategic Companies Solvency Support Fund.
Critics claim that Sanchez should have recused himself from the decision-making process because of his wife’s professional ties.
Begoña Gomez’s business links under scrutiny
Begoña Gomez, who works in the field of business consultancy and leadership programmes, has been linked to organisations with partnerships or financial interests in the airline sector.
Media reports have suggested that her involvement with certain business schools and foundations could overlap with entities that stood to benefit from Air Europa’s rescue.
Although no direct wrongdoing has been proven, the appearance of a potential conflict of interest is what triggered the PP’s complaint.
The TSJM’s decision does not mean Sanchez has been found guilty of misconduct. Instead, it forces the government to follow proper procedure, ensuring the case is not dismissed without a detailed investigation and a reasoned explanation.
The case comes at a sensitive moment politically for Sanchez, as the opposition continues to press him over questions of integrity and transparency.
