Spain's Sánchez to remain in office after threatening to resign

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Monday he will carry on in his post after threatening to resign over an inquiry into alleged corruption by his wife, Begoña Gómez.

"I have decided to carry on as the head of the government with even more strength, if possible," Sánchez said in his speech in Madrid.

The huge solidarity rallies organized by his supporters in Madrid and other cities over the weekend had influenced his decision, which he said he had made together with his wife.

Sánchez unexpectedly announced on Wednesday that he was considering stepping down after nearly six years, owing to what he said were baseless claims made against his wife.

The allegations against Gómez, who does not hold public office, were laid by the right-wing Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) organization. It accused her of influence peddling and business corruption. Manos Limpias later acknowledged that the allegations were based on media reports that could be false.

The public prosecutor's office in Madrid last week also requested that a preliminary investigation into Gómez be dropped.