The switch

Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, notified Judge Juan Carlos Peinado on Tuesday that she is replacing her defense lawyer. Antonio Camacho, a former Socialist interior minister who had represented her since the investigation began in 2024, is stepping aside by mutual agreement. His replacement is Jaime Campaner, a 44-year-old Mallorcan criminal lawyer specializing in complex jury trials and economic corruption cases.

The change comes just after the Madrid Provincial Court partially upheld Judge Peinado's decision to send Gómez to trial, though it reduced the charges. She will now face a popular jury on counts of influence peddling and embezzlement, while charges of corruption in business and misappropriation were dropped. The private prosecution led by the organization Hazte Oír is seeking a 13-year prison sentence.

“We request that all duly ordered proceedings be forwarded to us so that we may properly study them.”

Campaner has asked the court for an additional ten days beyond the standard five-day deadline to present the defense's statement of conclusions, citing the need to familiarize himself with the case file.

Government unease with Camacho's performance

The change has stirred discomfort within the executive. Government sources consulted by La Razón expressed dissatisfaction with how Camacho handled the defense, saying the switch came "late and badly." The sources lamented that the procedural strategy during the investigative phase failed to halt the case's progress or prevent it from reaching the oral trial stage.

This marks one of the first known internal criticisms of Camacho's legal work. A heavyweight figure within the PSOE and a person of maximum trust in the presidential circle, Camacho's approach is now seen in Moncloa as insufficient for a phase requiring deep experience in complex criminal litigation before a jury.

Who is Jaime Campaner

Campaner holds a doctorate in procedural law from the Complutense University of Madrid and graduated at the top of his class at the University of the Balearic Islands. His track record includes some of the highest-profile trials at Spain's National Court.

He represented Josep Pujol Ferrusola, one of the sons of former Catalan president Jordi Pujol, in the trial for the family's alleged illicit enrichment. During that trial, his client answered only his questions and denied any illegal activity, maintaining that the family fortune came from an inheritance. Campaner also participated in the Nóos case, defending tax advisor Salvador Trinxet, and acted for FC Barcelona under Joan Laporta's presidency in an audit of the previous board's management.

In the Villarejo case, he played a decisive role in preventing the annulment of proceedings by introducing key information about the legality of initial searches. More recently, he defended footballer Rafa Mir in a sexual assault case and secured the acquittal of Calum Best in a separate sexual assault trial in January 2024.

Political context

The trial's opening arrives at a moment of intense political pressure for the government. Pedro Sánchez has repeatedly defended his wife's innocence and denounced what he calls a campaign of "dehumanization" against her, insisting she abandoned her business activities when he arrived at Moncloa to avoid any conflict of interest.

“I am convinced that justice will be done and her innocence will be proven.”

The political message from the executive remains unchanged despite the legal team reshuffle. Moncloa sources maintain their conviction that Gómez will ultimately be exonerated.

Next steps

Judge Peinado gave Gómez and the other defendants five days to present their defense briefs and three days to indicate whether they waive the preliminary hearing on the appropriateness of opening the oral trial. With Campaner's request for additional time, the procedural calendar now depends on the judge's response. The case will proceed before a popular jury once the defense filings are complete and the trial date is set.