Sánchez, who has led Spain since 2018, said the “seriousness of the attacks” he and his wife were experiencing had led him to re-evaluate his position, adding that he would reveal his decision on Monday.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that he would step back from public duties “for a few days” to decide whether he wants to continue leading the government after a judicial investigation was launched into corruption allegations against his wife.

The Socialist leader said that while the allegations against his wife Begona Gomez were false, he was cancelling his public agenda until Monday, when he will appear before the media to announce his decision on his political future.

“I need to pause and think,” he wrote in a letter shared on his X account. “I urgently need an answer to the question of whether it is worthwhile… whether I should continue to lead the government or renounce this honour.”

“I will cancel my public agenda for a few days in order to reflect and decide which path to take.”

The shock announcement came after a Spanish court said earlier on Wednesday that it was launching a preliminary investigation into accusations of influence peddling and corruption levelled at Sanchez’s wife Begona Gomez.

The Madrid-based court investigating Gomez did not provide further information as the case is under seal and in early stages, only saying it followed a complaint raised by anti-graft campaign group Manos – which translates as “Clean Hands”. The group is led by Miguel Bernad Remon, who has links to the far right.

Gomez does not hold public office and maintains a low political profile. The 49-year-old was accused by Manos Limpias, which describes itself as a union but mainly works as a platform pursuing legal cases, of using her position to influence business deals.

Manos Limpiashas accused Gomez of receiving favours from airline Air Europa and its Spanish holding company Globalia during her time as director of an African research centre at Madrid’s IE business school until 2022, according to a seven-page document published by radio station Cadena Ser on its website.

IE said in a statement that it had never received any financial support from Globalia or its entities.

Sanchez, who has led Spain since 2018, said that the seriousness of the attacks against him and his wife merited a measured response. He said his wife had done nothing wrong and would cooperate with the investigation and defend her innocence. Gomez has not commented.

When asked in parliament after the court’s decision whether he thought the judicial system was working, the prime minister replied: “On a day like today and after hearing the news, despite everything, I still believe in the judicial system of this country.”

Sanchez’s ministers have backed him, with Yolanda Diaz, the Labour Minister and leader of the government’s left-wing coalition partner Sumar, saying the premier had her “full support”.

Justice Minister Felix Bolanos called the new allegations “false”.