Trial of Begoña Gómez and Proposal for Child-Rearing Benefits
Today's news highlights the judicial progress in the Begoña Gómez case and the proposal for a new financial aid for families. Additionally, health authorities warn about the risks of extreme heat, and Asturias is preparing a new regulation for its ports.
A judge has decided to open an oral trial—the stage where a conviction is decided—against Begoña Gómez, the wife of the Prime Minister, for alleged corruption crimes. As measures to ensure she does not abandon the process, her passport has been withdrawn, she is prohibited from leaving Spain, and she must appear in court to sign twice a month. The Socialist Party (PSOE) and members of the Government have described this decision as "unjust persecution," arguing that there is no evidence of a crime.
In the economic sphere, the Minister of Youth and Children, Sira Rego, has described it as "essential" to include a universal child-rearing benefit in the next General State Budgets. This direct financial aid for all families with children seeks to combat child poverty and guarantee the well-being of minors throughout the country.
Regarding safety and health, meteorological experts warn of a significant increase in temperatures this week. They warn that the risk of suffering heatstroke—a serious disorder when the body exceeds 40 degrees—is very high, so they recommend taking extreme precautions even before summer officially begins.
In Asturias, the Governing Council will approve the region's first Port Law this Monday. This regulation will serve to organize and manage the 24 ports that depend on the autonomous community, with a special focus on protecting artisanal fishing (carried out by small vessels) and regulating new commercial uses in these facilities.
Finally, Judge José Luis Calama has taken a statement from the former Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, as a person under investigation. During the interrogation, the magistrate and the former president exchanged assessments of the judicial process and the impact of taxes on professional fees.
For more details on these news stories and other topics of interest, visit the News section in our application. There you can read about the rising cost of wedding gifts, which already exceed 250 euros, and the recent internal tensions within the People's Party.