PP Demands Explanations from Zapatero over Possible Plus Ultra Investigation. In Madrid, the PP publicly demanded explanations from Zapatero regarding reports of an investigation. Questions were also addressed to Sánchez. The reason was a publication about possible money laundering through Plus Ultra.
A new political conflict has flared up in Madrid: the Partido Popular has demanded a public explanation from José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero following an El Confidencial publication about a possible investigation concerning the former prime minister. According to the outlet, the issue involves suspicions of money laundering linked to the airline Plus Ultra and state funds injected in 2021. The PP leadership held an unscheduled press conference on Génova Street, stating the need for transparency not only from Zapatero but also from current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The Vice Secretary for Institutional Regeneration, Cuca Gamarra, emphasized that silence in such a situation is unacceptable. According to her, new information requires clarification from both Zapatero and Sánchez, since some of the operations mentioned in reports may have involved the government. Questions directed at Zapatero concern not only his possible role in allocating state funds, but also his ties to businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, who is implicated in the Plus Ultra case.
Investigation details
The focus turned to a scheme whereby, allegedly, Plus Ultra could transfer 1% of the state funds received to Martínez in the event that the aid was successfully obtained. The National Court is investigating a possible money laundering case. During the probe, according to El Confidencial, police discovered a contract on Martínez’s computer confirming such arrangements. Zapatero has previously denied having any influence on the allocation process and stated that he received no commissions from Plus Ultra. He acknowledged only consulting payments from the company Análisis Relevante, owned by Martínez, and rejected allegations of lobbying or wrongdoing.
The PP was not satisfied with these explanations, recalling that as early as March 2022, Zapatero had already been summoned to the Senate to testify in the Koldo case. At that time, he provided detailed accounts of his relationship with Martínez and distanced himself from decisions regarding Plus Ultra. However, following new publications, the party is again demanding answers, stressing that the situation concerns not only the former but also the current head of government.
Reaction and Political Context
In the Senate, PSOE representative Juan Espadas reminded that Zapatero had already given comprehensive explanations and accused opponents of trying to discredit not only the former president but also the current government. Meanwhile, the PP is increasing pressure, linking the situation to the upcoming elections in Andalusia. At the start of the campaign, Zapatero supported the PSOE candidate María Jesús Montero, which triggered new demands for public clarification. Gamarra noted that it is precisely now, during the campaign and in Montero’s presence, that Zapatero should answer questions regarding transparency and possible links to corruption schemes, recalling prominent cases in the history of the Andalusian PSOE.
Internal party disputes and demands addressed to former and current leaders are nothing new for Spanish politics. Recently, the PP leadership publicly expressed support for Mariano Rajoy regarding the Kitchen case, which sparked a reaction from the opposition and became a topic of media discussion. More on the party’s reaction to the accusations against the former prime minister can be found in the article on the change of position of the PP in the Kitchen case.
