Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to announce within the day whether or not he will resign following corruption charges against his wife Begonia Gomet.

Mr Sanchez, 52, unexpectedly announced last Wednesday that he was considering stepping down, canceled his schedule and said he would announce his decision today.

The prime minister of Spain, in power since 2018, said in an open letter to the citizens that he made public through X that he wanted to weigh whether it was worth it to continue his term given what he called unfounded accusations against his wife, ” mud” of the right and extreme right.

He wanted to decide “whether to continue to head the government or to resign”, to renounce this “great honor”, he explained.

The accusations against Mrs. Gometh, who does not hold a public office, were formulated by the organization Manos Limpias (“Clean Hands”), accusing her in particular of exercising undue influence in return and corruption. The organization later acknowledged that the charges were based on press reports that may be untrue.

Madrid’s public prosecutor’s office recommended last week that the preliminary investigation against Ms. Gomet be dropped.

Under the Constitution, if Mr Sanchez steps down, King Felipe VI will have to consult with the heads of the political parties and then nominate his successor to the Spanish parliament.

The prime minister could either decide to stay in power, seek a vote of confidence from the Spanish national delegation, or call early elections. The earliest possible date for them to be held in this latter case would be July 21st. He was re-elected to office after last year’s election, heading a minority government.

More than 10,000 people demonstrated in Madrid yesterday Saturday and another 5,000 yesterday Sunday to call on him to remain prime minister, holding banners and placards with slogans such as “don’t leave” and accusing the Spanish right and far-right of resorting to “blackmail” and “fake news” to topple him.