Former Spanish PM Zapatero investigated as alleged leader of influence-peddling ring
Investigators are examining whether irregular commissions and lobbying helped secure the €53 million bailout, as police searched Zapatero’s office and the court summoned him.
- Spain's National Court placed former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero under investigation on Tuesday for alleged influence peddling tied to a 2021 airline bailout, with police searching his office and summoning him to testify June 2.
- In March 2021, the Venezuela-linked airline Plus Ultra received €53 million from a government COVID-19 recovery fund, the transaction now at the center of the judicial probe.
- Zapatero, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2011, denied any wrongdoing during a Senate hearing in March, stating he "never received any commissions from Plus Ultra."
- Opposition People's Party official Miguel Tellado demanded urgent explanations from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, saying "We are not only talking about the former Prime Minister, but also about Sánchez's main adviser."
- This marks the first formal investigation into a former Spanish prime minister since 1975, occurring as Sánchez's government faces intense political pressure from other ongoing corruption scandals.
105 Articles
105 Articles
Former Spanish PM Zapatero Named in Corruption Probe
Former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been named as a suspect in a corruption investigation linked to the €53 million state bailout of airline Plus Ultra, deepening the political crisis surrounding Spain’s ruling Socialist Party. Spanish judges are examining whether political influence was used to secure the pandemic-era rescue package and whether parts of the operation involved money laundering and influence peddling. Z…
The former Spanish head of government is targeted for the controversial rescue of the airline Plus Ultra, bailed out with 53 million euros in 2021.
The National High Court's Central Investigation Court No. 4 has summoned former government president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to testify in the context of the investigation of the Plus Ultra case. As reported by the judicial body on Tuesday, the former leader will appear on June 2 as an investigator for alleged crimes related to influence trafficking, money laundering and other possible crimes linked to the case.This is the first time in the…
A case involving the rescue of an airline in 2021 increases pressure on the current Prime Minister, also a socialist, Pedro Sánchez.
Spain investigates ex-prime minister Zapatero over airline bailout scandal
Spain’s former Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has been placed under investigation for influence peddling and crimes allegedly committed in connection with the bailout of a small airline, according to a court on Tuesday. The move adds to pressure on current Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, already weakened by corruption investigations involving family members and senior political allies. Zapatero, who served as prime…
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