Former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared on July 23, 2026, on TVE's Mañaneros 360 program to defend his innocence in the Plus Ultra case. He denied exerting influence for the airline's rescue and rejected other accusations including creating offshore companies or using his daughters as frontmen. The PSOE maintains its support while the PP deems his explanations insufficient.
Zapatero reiterated to journalist Javier Ruiz that he spoke to no one at SEPI or the government about the 53 million euro rescue approved in March 2021. He stated his absolute conviction of innocence and that he exerted no influence.
Regarding the jewels found in his office and valued at 1.3 million euros, the former president described them as a personal courtesy gift without patrimonial intent. He indicated he will clarify all details before judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo considered that Zapatero did not address the doubts and that his statements have created more problems. PSOE sources reiterated support for the presumption of innocence and respect for the judicial process.
