Spain's Prime Minister Sánchez says he'll continue in office after days of reflection

abcnews.go.com:

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has vowed to stay in office and govern “with even more strength."

MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed to stay in office and govern “with even more strength” Monday, ending days of speculation he might resign to stop what he called a smear campaign against his wife after she was accused of corruption.

Sánchez shocked the country last Wednesday when he announced he would take five days off to consider his future following a court's decision to open preliminary proceedings against his wife on the allegations.

A platform linked to far-right causes, Manos Limpias, or “Clean Hands,” accused Begoña Gómez of using her position to influence business deals. Spanish prosecutors say it should be thrown out. Gómez has not been indicted.

Sánchez's resignation would have ended the leadership of a prominent Socialist prime minister at a time when the center right increasingly holds sway in Europe and ahead of European elections in June.

But the politician who has forged a reputation as a steely survivor announced Monday that he would once again push on.

“I have decided to continue on with even more strength at the helm of the government of Spain,” he said in a televised speech after informing King Felipe VI of the decision. “It is a decision that does not mean a return to the status quo, this will mark a before and after, I promise you that.”

He did not say, however, what steps he would take. The leading opposition conservative Popular Party has said Sánchez’s behavior was unbecoming of a leader.

The eurozone’s fourth-largest economy had been riveted by the unusual episode that began when Sánchez, prime minister since 2018, canceled his public agenda and holed up in his residence,