Zapatero Charged With Membership in Criminal Group in 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 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.
Throughout the investigation, anti-corruption police officers reportedly carried out searches at offices and companies linked to individuals involved in the case, including entities connected to Zapatero’s professional environment. Authorities suspect that a network of consulting firms and intermediary companies may have been used to facilitate financial operations and possible commissions tied to the airline rescue package.
Zapatero publicly denied any wrongdoing and insisted that all of his professional and financial activities have always complied with Spanish law. The former Socialist leader also rejected accusations that he used his political influence to benefit private interests and stated that he would fully cooperate with judicial authorities.
The development promptly sparked intense political pushback, with opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo pressing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration for clarity, while Vox urged stronger political accountability in response to the scandal, and several Popular Party regional leaders warned that the probe severely undermined Spain’s institutional credibility.
Within the Socialist Party, reactions were mixed. Some senior PSOE figures expressed support for Zapatero and urged caution until the judicial process advances further. Others acknowledged the seriousness of the accusations and the potential political consequences 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/
