Spanish Former Prime Minister Zapatero's Corruption Case Deepens

A Spanish court has expanded a corruption investigation involving former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, summoning his two daughters and secretary as suspects. Zapatero is suspected of money laundering and trading in influence in connection with a €53 million state rescue package given to airline Plus Ultra in 2021. The case increases pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist government, already burdened by several other corruption scandals.

A Spanish court expanded a corruption investigation in mid-June involving former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, summoning his two daughters and secretary María Gertrudis Alcázar for questioning as suspects. The judge issued the decision at the request of prosecutors.

Nature of the allegations

The investigation centres on a €53 million state rescue package given to airline Plus Ultra in 2021. Investigators suspect that political connections and trading in influence, rather than purely economic considerations, lay behind the receipt of state aid. The judge declared Zapatero a suspect in May 2025, describing him in court documents as a possible director of the alleged scheme.

Authorities also scrutinised the communications firm Whathefav, run by Zapatero's daughters. According to prosecutors, the company may have been used as a channel through which money related to Plus Ultra flowed. According to the allegations, Zapatero and his associates received a total of approximately €1.95 million, of which around €423,779 reached his daughters through Whathefav.

Zapatero denies allegations

Zapatero gave testimony to the court on 17 June lasting over three hours and rejected all allegations, confirming that he did not act in the interests of the airline. However, he refused to answer questions about jewellery worth approximately €1.3 million found in his office safe.

Pressure on Sánchez government

Zapatero was Spain's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2011, but retained extensive influence in the Socialist Party even after leaving office. He belongs to the same party as current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The escalation of the case adds pressure to the Sánchez government, which is already burdened by several other corruption scandals and operates in a complex political environment.