Zapatero Summoned to Court for the First Time Over Plus Ultra Payments. Former Prime Minister Zapatero has become a figure in a high-profile investigation. Authorities are examining his income from Análisis Relevante and links to the airline Plus Ultra. For the first time, the ex-PM will testify in court.
For the first time in Spain's modern history, a former prime minister has found himself at the center of a court case. On June 2 in Madrid, ex-head of government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is scheduled to testify in a case involving payments related to the consulting firm Análisis Relevante SL and the airline Plus Ultra. Investigators are examining how the former prime minister's income was generated and whether there were any signs of violations in these arrangements.
A key figure in the investigation is the company Análisis Relevante SL, founded by Alicante entrepreneur Julio Martínez Martínez, who is known as a close acquaintance of Zapatero. According to investigators, this firm received large sums from Plus Ultra — an airline that was allocated €53 million by the government during the pandemic. Part of these funds, it was revealed, were then transferred to Zapatero for consulting services. The former prime minister himself insists that all payments were official and reflected market rates for his expertise and work.
During parliamentary hearings on the Koldo case, Zapatero explained in detail that he collaborated with Análisis Relevante as an independent consultant, while his daughters and their company, What the fav, handled the preparation and communication support of reports. According to him, over six years he received a total of €463,000, which he considers meets market standards. Zapatero emphasized that he did not receive commissions directly from Plus Ultra and was unaware that Análisis Relevante was working with the airline.
The investigation, including the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and UDEF, is focusing particular attention on a contract found on Martínez’s computer. The document contains a clause providing for a payment of 1% of the state support amount from Plus Ultra in the event these funds are successfully obtained. This detail may point to a possible conflict of interest and raise suspicions of influence peddling. Notably, Análisis Relevante, despite having no staff, has actively invoiced Plus Ultra since its inception; according to sources, Martínez himself had substantial connections with Venezuelan authorities and assisted the airline in resolving debt and permit issues.
The case involving payments and connections between former high-ranking officials and private companies has repeatedly sparked public outcry in Spain. In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny on the transparency of deals and the role of intermediaries in major financial operations. By comparison, in another notable story involving major investments, Leo Messi acquired abandoned galleries in Barcelona, which also became a topic of discussion in business circles (details of the Messi deal).
The context of the Plus Ultra case highlights how acute the issue of transparency in the allocation of public funds and oversight of former officials' activities is in Spain. The country has a number of laws regulating the transition of civil servants to the private sector, yet such cases continue to raise questions among investigators and the public. According to EL PAÍS, the investigation into Análisis Relevante and Plus Ultra is ongoing, and its outcome may affect future practices in business-government relations in Spain.
