07.07.2026 18:01
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in Ankara to attend the NATO summit. Sanchez, who is being tried for four separate crimes and has had his passport temporarily confiscated, is participating in the NATO summit without his wife, who was not allowed to travel to Ankara.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has arrived in Ankara to attend the NATO Summit. Prime Minister Sanchez was welcomed at the airport by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and officials.
HE CAME TO ANKARA WITHOUT HIS WIFE
However, Sanchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, whose passport was temporarily seized due to an ongoing corruption investigation, could not accompany him. Invited to the official program organized for leaders' spouses, Gómez's trip to Ankara was not approved by the court where she is being tried.
SHE BECAME THE FIRST SPOUSE OF A PRIME MINISTER IN SPAIN TO HAVE HER PASSPORT SEIZED
Begoña Gómez, the first prime minister's spouse in Spanish history to have her passport seized, is accused of "influence peddling, business corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of office."
After Judge Juan Carlos Peinado decided to impose a precautionary measure "on suspicion of fleeing the country," Begoña Gómez handed over her passport to the court on June 24. Gomez last accompanied Prime Minister Sanchez on a trip to China two months ago.
UK PRIME MINISTER ALSO IN ANKARA
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Ankara to attend the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government. Starmer's plane landed at Ankara Airport. Keir Starmer and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper were greeted by Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu and officials.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Ankara to attend the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government. Merz's plane landed at Ankara Airport.
MERZ WAS WELCOMED BY FAMILY MINISTER GÖKTAŞ
Chancellor Merz was greeted at the airport by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and officials.