Spanish PM testifies as witness in wife's corruption case

Madrid: Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to testify on Tuesday as a witness in a judicial investigation into alleged corruption and influence peddling against his wife that led him to consider resigning in April.

Under Spanish law, close relatives including spouses can refuse to answer questions when summoned by a judge.

The proceedings are part of a preliminary investigation into whether Begona Gomez used her position as the premier's wife to secure sponsors for a university master's degree course that she ran.

Sanchez has denied the accusations against her, saying they were baseless and orchestrated by right-wing political foes.

Investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado arrived at the government headquarters where Sanchez has his official residence in Madrid on Tuesday morning, a Reuters journalist said, in an unprecedented visit to interview the prime minister.

He will be accompanied by his counsel, representatives of the prosecutor and a lawyer of far-right party VOX, which uses a legal instrument known as "the people's accusation" which lets private individuals bring criminal complaints against third parties.

A small group of protesters congregated outside La Moncloa palace shouting slogans against Sanchez and his Socialist Party.

It is the first time a sitting Spanish prime minister has been called to testify in a judicial case since his predecessor Mariano Rajoy was summoned as a witness in 2017 in a graft case that led to the conviction of several members of his conservative People's Party and ultimately to a 2018 vote of no confidence that allowed Sanchez to become prime minister.