Spanish Court Investigates Zapatero Over Plus Ultra Bailout

A Spanish court has placed former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero under formal investigation for alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes related to a state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra. This marks the first time a former Spanish prime minister has been formally investigated since the country's return to democracy in 1975.

The National Court in Madrid announced the investigation on Tuesday, summoning Zapatero to testify before a judge on June 2. The probe centers on a 53 million euro public loan granted to Plus Ultra in March 2021. The funds were part of a government pandemic recovery program managed by the state holding company SEPI, intended to support strategic companies.

Investigators are examining whether the bailout was improperly approved and if any public money was diverted. The court's statement said the investigation has been widened to include Zapatero, and authorities have conducted searches at his office and several other business premises. The case escalated in late December with several arrests, including that of airline president Julio Martínez, a businessman described as a close friend of the former prime minister.