In the wake of his wife’s corruption scandal, Mr. Sanchez will announce his resignation

Mr. Sanchez, 52, who is in his second term as prime minister since last November, is expected to announce his possible resignation at 9 a.m. GMT (12:00 Lithuanian time) from its headquarters – Moncloa Palace in Madrid.

After a Madrid court opened a preliminary investigation into the prime minister’s wife last week, Sanchez said he was considering resigning.

A statement released by the court said the investigation began on April 16 and that it is subject to a secrecy order.

No further details were provided.

The court’s statement came hours after the online news site El Confidencial published an article alleging that Gomez was under investigation for ties to several private companies that ultimately received government funding and contracts.

“I have to stop and think if I should continue to lead the government or if I should give up this honor,” the prime minister said on the X social network.

On Saturday, thousands of the Prime Minister’s supporters gathered outside the headquarters of Spain’s Socialist Party in Madrid and chanted “Pedro, stay!”.

According to Mr Sanchez, the actions against his wife are part of a “campaign of persecution” which he says is being carried out by the right-wing and far-right heavily influenced media and supported by the conservative opposition.

Spanish prosecutors on Thursday asked to drop the investigation.

But as of last week, Mr. Sanchez has suspended all public duties and has made no further public comments on the matter.

The prime minister was due to launch his Socialist Party campaign on Thursday last week ahead of regional elections in Catalonia on May 12, in which the Socialists hope to oust pro-secessionists from power.

If Sanchez resigns on Monday, Spain could face early elections in July, analysts said.

The Socialists may also demand that parliament appoint a new person to replace Sanchez. His deputy and Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero is among the likely contenders.

If Mr. Sanchez decides to stay on as prime minister, he could initiate a confidence vote to show that the majority of lawmakers still support him and his minority government.