Audiencia Nacional judge José Luis Calama has charged former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero with directing an influence peddling structure to secure a 53 million euro public bailout for airline Plus Ultra.
The 88-page ruling, based on UDEF police investigation, states that Zapatero influenced the government to facilitate the loan approved by the Council of Ministers in March 2021. It also mentions international dealings related to oil operations in Venezuela.
Zapatero will testify as investigated on June 2. The government has expressed support for the former president and noted that the ruling contains indications but no conclusive evidence.
Parliamentary allies of the executive, such as Sumar and ERC, have called for explanations and avoided talk of lawfare after reading the ruling. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has accused the government of complicity and threatened a censure motion.
