Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation by a Spanish court for alleged influence peddling related to a government airline bailout.
Key points
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation
Allegations include influence peddling
Investigation relates to a government airline bailout
Mentioned in this story
José Luis Rodríguez ZapateroSpanish court
Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero speaks to journalists in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero speaks to journalists in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Juan Karita/AP
Juan Karita/AP
MADRID — A Spanish court is investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes tied to a government airline bailout.
The National Court in Madrid is probing possible financial wrongdoing in connection with the Spanish government's rescue of the Plus Ultra airline, which in 2021 received 53 million euros (now $62 million) in public money as part of COVID-19 recovery funds.
The court said in a statement that the investigation was widened to include Zapatero, who was summoned to answer a judge's questions on June 2. Police with warrants from the investigating judge searched Zapatero's office on Tuesday.
Q&A
What are the allegations against José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero?
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is being investigated for alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes linked to a government airline bailout.
Which court is investigating Zapatero?
A Spanish court is conducting the investigation into José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's alleged involvement in the airline bailout.
What is the significance of the airline bailout in this investigation?
The airline bailout is significant as it forms the basis of the allegations against Zapatero, suggesting potential misuse of influence in government financial decisions.
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Zapatero, 65, was prime minister from 2004 to 2011 and had been out of public office for a decade when Plus Ultra received the bailout.
He is a member of the Socialist party headed by current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose party has been rocked by other corruption scandals over the past two years.
Zapatero denied any wrongdoing.
"All of my public and private activities have always been conducted in full compliance with the law," he said in a statement to Spanish media. "My private activities and the income and compensation I have received have been declared via income tax with absolute transparency and legality."
Plus Ultra is a Spanish-owned airline with investors from Venezuela. It specialized in flights between Spain and Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.
Since leaving office, Zapatero has focused a large part of his activity on maintaining dialogue with the government in Venezuela, which was largely isolated from Western countries after it cracked down on the democratic opposition.
When asked about Zapatero on Tuesday, Spanish government spokesperson Elma Saiz told reporters that the administration is "approaching the news with calm, confidence, prudence and respect for the law."
