Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez mentioned on Monday he had determined to proceed in workplace, days after abruptly saying he was contemplating his future following the launch of a corruption investigation towards his spouse.

The centre-left prime minister, 52, had shocked foes and allies alike when he mentioned on Wednesday he was taking time from public responsibility to think about quitting. He described the courtroom investigation of his spouse Begona Gomez for affect peddling and enterprise corruption as orchestrated by his opponents.

Sanchez met King Felipe VI on Monday – a step that may have been needed ought to he have determined to resign – however introduced in a televised handle that he had knowledgeable the monarch of his determination to remain on. He had been inspired to remain by widespread expressions of assist over the weekend, Sanchez mentioned.

“I’ve determined to go on, if potential even stronger as prime minister. This isn’t enterprise as regular, issues are going to be totally different,” he mentioned in a nationwide broadcast.

His announcement that he may stop had triggered additional turmoil in Spanish politics, the place a fractious parliament has struggled to type coalition governments after shut elections. Ought to a brand new election have been required, it might have been the fourth in 5 years.

The opposition will attempt to exploit the signal of indecision from Sanchez, however the impression could also be restricted as a result of Spain’s political panorama is already so polarised, mentioned Ignacio Jurado, political science professor at Madrid’s Carlos III College.

“His credibility is already hotly contested and voters have already given it to him or taken it away,” he mentioned. “As a frontrunner he has proven a weak point and it is one thing that the opposition will exploit so much.”