Zapatero Accused of Belonging to a Criminal Organization in the Plus Ultra Case
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been formally placed under investigation by Spain’s National Court as part of the judicial inquiry surrounding the controversial state bailout of airline Plus Ultra. The case has intensified political tensions in Spain and sparked widespread reactions across the country’s political landscape.
According to court proceedings, investigators are examining alleged crimes including membership in a criminal organization, influence peddling, and document falsification connected to the public funds granted to Plus Ultra during the pandemic. The judge overseeing the case believes there are sufficient indications to summon Zapatero for questioning, with his court appearance scheduled for early June.
During the inquiry, reports indicated that anti-corruption officers carried out raids across multiple offices and companies connected to individuals involved in the case, including those operating within Zapatero’s professional orbit, as authorities believe that a network of consultancy and intermediary firms may have been used to handle financial transactions and possible commissions tied 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 within the Socialist Party diverged considerably, with some senior PSOE figures expressing support for Zapatero and calling for patience as the judicial process unfolded, while others admitted the seriousness of the accusations and the potential political repercussions 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.
Reference: via Libertad Digital – https://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/politica/2026-05-19/ultima-hora-zapatero-imputado-trafico-de-influencias-en-directo-7406388/