Judge Calama links Zapatero's bank accounts to Plus Ultra bailout funds

Judge Calama detects Zapatero transfers linked to the Plus Ultra bailout

Judge Calama's latest court order, dated 18 June 2026, points to "transfers between the bank accounts" of former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero connected to funds from the multi-million-euro bailout of airline Plus Ultra. The former prime minister testified this Wednesday before the presiding judge of the Central Investigating Court, according to Libertad Digital.

The paradox: Zapatero, who governed Spain for eight years and prides himself on honest management, now faces an investigation that questions the origin of bank movements linked to a 53-million-euro public aid package. The Plus Ultra bailout, granted in 2021 by the coalition government, already caused controversy over the opacity of the criteria and the final destination of the funds.

After 29 days of silence, the former prime minister issued a statement denying the allegations: "I am accused of very serious crimes that I have not committed." He offered a "voluntary universal authorization" so that the court can verify the absence of shell companies or hidden accounts. But the court order already speaks of "transfers" in connection with public funds, placing the case on delicate judicial ground.

Reactions were not long in coming: while some point to the gravity of the accusations, others recall that Zapatero was the most voted-for prime minister of the democracy and that the presumption of innocence must prevail. Are these transfers an administrative error or a sign of misappropriation? The investigation has barely begun and Judge Calama has not closed the case.