Zapatero Implicated as Part of a Criminal Network in the Plus Ultra Case
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been officially named as a subject of investigation by Spain’s National Court in connection with the ongoing judicial probe into the contentious state bailout granted to the airline Plus Ultra, a development that has heightened political friction in Spain and triggered broad reactions across the nation’s political sphere.
According to court filings, investigators are reviewing alleged offenses such as involvement in a criminal organization, influence trafficking, and document forgery linked to the public funds awarded to Plus Ultra during the pandemic, and the judge in charge considers there is enough evidence to call Zapatero in for questioning, with his hearing set for early June.
Throughout the investigation, it was reported that anti-corruption police officers executed searches at various offices and businesses linked to individuals tied to the case, including those associated with Zapatero’s professional sphere, while authorities suspect that a network of consulting and intermediary firms might have been employed to manage financial dealings and potential commissions related to the airline rescue package.
Zapatero publicly rejected every accusation of wrongdoing, stating that his professional and financial activities have always complied with Spanish law, while the former Socialist leader also downplayed assertions that he exploited his political influence for personal benefit and confirmed his willingness to cooperate completely with judicial authorities.
The development quickly triggered strong political backlash, as opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo pressed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government for answers, while Vox demanded tougher political accountability over the scandal, and several Popular Party regional leaders cautioned that the investigation was gravely damaging Spain’s institutional credibility.
Reactions inside the Socialist Party varied widely, as some senior PSOE members voiced backing for Zapatero and advised waiting for the judicial process to progress, while others recognized the gravity of the allegations and the possible political fallout for the government.
The Plus Ultra bailout has long stirred debate in Spain, fueled by doubts about the airline’s financial health, the allocation of public funds, and the alleged political ties revealed throughout the investigation.
Source: Libertad Digital – https://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/politica/2026-05-19/ultima-hora-zapatero-imputado-trafico-de-influencias-en-directo-7406388/
