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José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero implicated in Plus Ultra public rescue
Businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, a longtime associate of former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, testified before the Audiencia Nacional that Zapatero directed the steps that led to a 53 million‑euro state rescue of the airline Plus Ultra in 2021. Martínez said Zapatero was “the one who marked the steps to follow” and that a 1 % commission – about €530,000 – was paid to his consultancy Análisis Relevante and related firms for the loan obtained from the state holding SEPI.
The airline’s senior executives have also submitted written statements confirming the payment of the 1 % fee to three companies linked to Martínez. Opposition parties have demanded explanations from the PSOE and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, describing the affair as a case of alleged traffic of influences and money‑laundering. The government has reiterated its confidence in Zapatero’s innocence, while Zapatero’s legal team has filed motions to limit the scope of the investigation.
The case continues to draw parliamentary attention and media scrutiny as investigators assess whether the alleged commissions constitute a criminal influence network involving high‑level political figures.