Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Under Criminal Investigation

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 2004 to 2011, has been placed under criminal investigation. The probe centers on allegations of influence-peddling linked to the state-backed rescue of the airline Plus Ultra during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This development marks a significant moment in Spanish politics, as Zapatero is the first former head of government in the country to face a formal criminal investigation after leaving office. He is scheduled to appear before the Audiencia Nacional, Spain’s highest criminal court, on June 2, 2026.

The Scope of the Investigation

The judicial inquiry is focused on the €53 million state bailout granted to Plus Ultra in March 2021. Prosecutors and investigators are scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding this financial rescue. Specifically, the investigation seeks to determine if the airline engaged in the “inadequate use” of public funds.

anti-corruption authorities are examining allegations that the airline may have utilized the rescue funds to facilitate the laundering of money from Venezuela through a network involving France, Switzerland, and Spain. According to the investigating judge, Zapatero is suspected of overseeing a “hierarchical structure of influence peddling” aimed at securing economic benefits for third parties, particularly Plus Ultra, through the exercise of influence over public bodies.

Zapatero’s Defense and Legal Context

In response to the allegations, Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he has never accepted commissions from the airline. To manage his legal defense, the former Prime Minister has retained Víctor Moreno Catena, a prominent jurist and expert in procedural law.

Moreno Catena, a professor emeritus of Procedural Law at the Carlos III University of Madrid, brings extensive academic and legal experience to the case. His legal background includes significant involvement in high-profile Spanish cases, such as the defense of former officials in the ERE case. His selection is viewed by many as a strategic move to address the complex technical and procedural challenges posed by the current investigation.

Key Takeaways

• Legal Status: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is currently under investigation for alleged influence-peddling.
• The Case: The inquiry concerns the €53 million state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra, approved in March 2021.
• Judicial Proceedings: The former Prime Minister has been ordered to testify at the Audiencia Nacional on June 2, 2026.
• Defense Strategy: Zapatero has appointed legal expert Víctor Moreno Catena to lead his defense team.
• Public Stance: Zapatero maintains his innocence and denies receiving any commissions related to the airline.

As the legal process moves forward, the case remains a subject of intense scrutiny, highlighting the ongoing tension between political legacy and judicial accountability in Spain. The upcoming court appearance in June is expected to provide further clarity on the evidence gathered by investigators and the defense’s response to the allegations.