Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez decides not to quit over investigation into wife

He ‘has shown weakness that will be exploited by the opposition’

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez gives a statement to announce he will stay on. Photo: Reuters

Emma Pinedo

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez said yesterday he had decided to stay in office after days of publicly weighing his future, generating relief amongst leftist allies, exasperation among the public and ridicule from his opponents.

Shouting could be heard on Madrid streets when Mr Sanchez made his announcement in a televised address, bringing an abrupt close to a five-day drama since he said last week that he was retreating from public duty to decide whether to quit.