Spain recalls ambassador as spat with Argentina’s Milei extends
Al Jazeera
Spain Recalls Ambassador to Argentina
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The Facts
Spain has recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires after Argentine Pres. Javier Milei called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, "corrupt" at an event in Madrid on Sunday.
Last month, a court in Spain opened a preliminary inquiry into Gómez over claims of influence peddling. However, prosecutors claim that there's no evidence behind the allegations.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Given that Spain doesn't usually recall its ambassadors even when its counterparts do so, this move undoubtedly asserts how offensive and serious these unprecedented verbal attacks were. Milei has had at least five diplomatic spats with different countries just months into office. It's about time for him to start behaving as a proper leader.
Establishment-critical narrative
When it comes to criticism over his wife, Sánchez is all too sensitive. Whether Milei should have suggested Gómez was corrupt and mocked her husband or not, it's a matter of fact that his words were not an attack on Spain, its democracy, and institutions — and they are hardly worse than what the Spanish government levels towards the opposition at home.