Former Spanish prime ministerJose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has strongly denied allegations that he used his influence to help secure the state-backed rescue of airline Plus Ultra, insisting he played ‘no role whatsoever’ in the process and had never sought to profit from it.
In his first interview since appearing before National Court Judge José Luis Calama and being placed under investigation two months ago, Zapatero told Spanish public broadcaster TVE that he had acted lawfully throughout his career as a consultant and was confident his innocence would ultimately be proven.
Rejecting claims that he had influenced the government’s decision to support the airline during the pandemic, he added: ‘It’s not that I didn’t influence it, it’s that I didn’t speak to anyone about the Plus Ultra rescue.’
Zapatero said all of his work at consultancy firm Análisis Relevante had consisted of legitimate advisory services and stressed that he had never signed contracts with clients, participated in offshore companies or sought
The investigation centres on allegations that Zapatero used his political connections to help secure a state loan for Plus Ultra in exchange for commissions.
Throughout the interview, Zapatero repeatedly appealed for respect for the presumption of innocence and warned against ‘trial by media’.
Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has declared that the countdown to replacing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has begun, saying the government deserves what he described as “an electoral punishment” and calling Sánchez “a disgrace for the country.”
Speaking on the third anniversary of the 2023 general election, Feijóo argued that the current administration has lost public confidence and renewed his call for an early general election.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly rejected opposition demands to stand down and has insisted his government will continue to serve its full parliamentary term.
An artistic tribute to Spain’s World Cup-winning hero Ferran Torres survived little more than a day before being vandalised in Barcelona, reigniting debate over political divisions and the use of public space.
The mural, created by renowned Barcelona street artist TVBoy, appeared on Monday in Joanic Square in the city’s Gràcia neighbourhood, just a day after Torres scored the extra-time winner against Argentina in Sunday’s 2026 World Cup final.
However, the tribute remained untouched for only a matter of hours before becoming the target of repeated acts of vandalism by Catalan separatists.
…and that’s your Spanish News – from Giles Brown