Former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before a judge in Madrid on Wednesday to answer questions over allegations of influence peddling, money laundering and other possible financial offences linked to the Spanish government’s 2021 bailout of airline Plus Ultra.
The hearing, which lasted between three and a half hours, marked an unprecedented moment in modern Spanish politics, making Zapatero the first former or serving Spanish prime minister to testify as a suspect in a corruption investigation since Spain’s return to democracy.
Zapatero, 65, who led Spain between 2004 and 2011, arrived at Madrid’s National Court wearing a navy-blue suit and tie and entered through a secured area set up outside the building.
The former socialist (PSOE) leader is under formal investigation following claims that he may have played a role in securing a €53 million state rescue package for Plus Ultra during the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline, which specialised in routes between Spain and South America and had Venezuelan investors, received the funding from a government recovery programme established to support businesses affected by the collapse in global travel.
Investigating judge José Luis Calama is examining allegations that Zapatero headed what has been described in court documents as a ‘stable and hierarchical’ structure which allegedly used opaque financial channels to conceal money movements and secure bribes through influence over public authorities.
At the centre of the investigation is the allegation that Zapatero intervened on behalf of third parties, including Plus Ultra, to obtain favourable treatment from government institutions. ALSO READ: Former Spanish PM Zapatero faces corruption probe over airline bailout.
During Wednesday’s hearing, however, Zapatero firmly denied any involvement.
According to court sources, he told the judge that he had never intervened to secure the airline bailout and rejected all accusations of wrongdoing.
Following the hearing, he issued a statement maintaining his innocence.
‘I am accused of very serious offences that I have not committed. I always conducted myself with decency and honesty,’ Zapatero said. ‘Now the task ahead of me is to prove it. I will do so with total transparency and full confidence.’
Zapatero also insisted he had no undisclosed wealth abroad and said he had voluntarily authorised the court to verify that he owns no companies, financial products or assets outside Spain.
‘The truth will prevail and I will restore confidence to those who now doubt,’ he added.
The airline case is not the only issue under scrutiny.
Judge Calama is also investigating the discovery of jewellery and luxury watches valued at around €1.3 million found during a police search of Zapatero’s office in May. ALSO READ: Ex-PM Zapatero faces fresh investigation after jewellery found in office safe valued at €1.3m.
The items are currently being examined as part of a separate probe into possible tax fraud, tax evasion and contraband offences after investigators reportedly found insufficient documentation proving their origin.
Zapatero has previously maintained that the jewellery was either inherited or received as gifts. Members of his entourage have similarly attributed the collection to a family inheritance.
According to Spanish media, when questioned about the jewellery during Wednesday’s hearing, Zapatero either declined to answer or exercised his right not to testify on the matter, arguing that his legal team had not yet had sufficient time to prepare a defence in relation to the newly opened investigation.
After the hearing, anti-corruption prosecutors requested precautionary measures including the confiscation of Zapatero’s passport and mandatory court appearances every 15 days.
Judge Calama rejected the request to seize the former prime minister’s passport, concluding that his public profile meant he posed little risk of fleeing the country. The judge also found there was no indication that Zapatero could destroy evidence.
Under Spain’s judicial system, investigating judges examine potential criminal offences and determine whether sufficient evidence exists for a case to proceed to trial. If so, a separate judge oversees the trial itself, a process that can take many months or even years.
The investigation has major political implications because Zapatero remains an influential figure within the Socialist Party led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. ALSO READ: Sánchez rallies behind Zapatero, calls for ‘respect for the presumption of innocence’.
Although he left office more than a decade ago, Zapatero has continued to play a prominent role in public life, particularly through his efforts to maintain dialogue with the Venezuelan government at a time when many Western nations distanced themselves from Caracas over concerns about democratic rights.
His legal troubles come as Sánchez’s minority coalition government faces mounting pressure from a series of corruption investigations involving members of his political circle and family.
The prime minister’s wife, Begoña Gómez, remains under investigation over alleged influence peddling, while separate corruption trials involving former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and Sánchez’s brother, David Sánchez, are also approaching key stages. ALSO READ: Trial of Spanish PM’s brother concludes amid wider corruption scrutiny.
Additional pressure has come from reports of a police investigation into a former socialist activist, Leire Díez, suspected of attempting to undermine inquiries linked to Sánchez’s associates. ALSO READ: Spanish PM denies any knowledge of suspected scheme targeting corruption probes.
The growing number of scandals has fuelled criticism from Spain’s right-wing and far-right opposition parties, which have accused the PSOE of systemic corruption and called for Sánchez to resign and trigger early elections.
The prime minister, who came to power in 2018 promising to clean up Spanish politics following a major corruption scandal involving the right-wing People’s Party (PP), has repeatedly rejected those demands and insists he will remain in office until the next scheduled election in 2027. ALSO READ: Andalusia leaves Sánchez politically weakened as Spain edges further towards a PP-Vox era.
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El expresidente Zapatero declara en la Audiencia Nacional por el rescate de Plus Ultra y por las joyas encontradas en su despacho https://t.co/oDjyczL6BV pic.twitter.com/HVZv66BSc1
— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) June 17, 2026
VIDEO | El expresidente del Gobierno José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero niega haber influido en el rescate de Plus Ultra y no declara sobre las casi ochenta joyas que la Policía Nacional encontró en su oficina. pic.twitter.com/IVYBkOxgVk
— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) June 17, 2026
🔴 Zapatero publica un comunicado tras declarar ante el juez https://t.co/dqz00Bxtpw
🗣️ “Lo más doloroso es saber que mucha gente puede sentirse defraudada. Pido confianza. No les decepcionaré. Nos costará más o menos tiempo, pero la verdad se abrirá paso. Ya lo verán” pic.twitter.com/EFJV8lyEZl
— Europa Press (@europapress) June 17, 2026
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