Spanish ex-PM Zapatero under investigation for alleged influence peddling, court says

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:02]Spain's former socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is being formally investigated for alleged money laundering and related crimes. Zapatero, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2011, is to testify on the 2nd June, Spain's top criminal court said in a statement. The investigation relates to the 2021 state rescue of airline Plus Ultra, which received 53 million euros through the state holding company SEPI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zapatero is accused of leading the effort to bail out the airline and pressuring the transport ministry, led at the time by Jose Luis Abalos, to approve the rescue.

[00:00:47]The court is examining whether the aid was properly approved and whether any improper lobbying or influence was involved. He denied any wrongdoing related to the bailout in a Senate hearing in March. The news comes amid a political storm for the Spanish government, which is already facing several corruption scandals.