Feijóo warns of reputational cost over Begoña Gómez passport revocation

Alberto Núñez Feijóo warned of the "enormous reputational cost" for Spain after Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, had her passport revoked by a judge, preventing her from accompanying Sánchez to the NATO summit Source: ABC, El Mundo. Speaking to the Círculo de Empresarios Vascos in Bilbao on July 7, 2026, Feijóo argued that the incident damages Spain's international image, as "all allies' prime ministers will know that the wife of the Spanish prime minister could not travel because the judiciary withdrew her passport" Source: El Español.

Political context

Feijóo accused the government of a "climate of corruption" that has reached the "heart of the state," citing multiple scandals affecting key ministries Source: ABC, El Confidencial. He reiterated that the PP will not seek "favours" from business leaders, stating he will reach government "with or without their help" Source: El Mundo. The visit is part of a strategy to attract disenchanted voters from the PNV and Junts, whom he accuses of enabling Sánchez's "sanchismo" Source: La Vanguardia.

Economic pitch

Feijóo proposed a liberal economic agenda focused on industrial competitiveness, including tax cuts for innovation, reduced bureaucracy, and addressing the "cancer" of absenteeism, which he said costs over €30 billion annually Source: Infobae. He criticised that an absent worker often earns the same as one who attends, calling for reform with or without union agreement Source: Infobae.