Attentes au sein du PSOE face aux explications publiques de Zapatero 65 jours après son inculpation

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has reaffirmed its confidence in former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero despite recent revelations by businessman Julio Martínez, who accused him of playing a key role in securing public funds for the airline company Plus Ultra during the pandemic. The party’s leadership, including President Cristina Narbona, has reiterated their belief in Zapatero's innocence, stating, “We continue to believe in his innocence.” This stance comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving both Zapatero and Martínez, with the latter providing detailed accounts of alleged financial dealings tied to the rescue operation. Julio Martínez, a close associate of Zapatero and founder of the consulting firm Análisis Relevante, appeared before Judge José Luis Calama this week in Madrid. During nearly three hours of testimony, Martínez did not clarify with whom Zapatero allegedly mediated to secure the rescue of Plus Ultra nor how much money was involved. He described Zapatero as someone who “marked the steps to follow” in the efforts to save the airline, which received €53 million in public aid in 2021. However, Martínez claimed he had no direct contact with Zapatero and emphasized that he used his own companies to channel payments related to the deal. Martínez also confirmed that he received monthly payments of €3,000 from the company Whathefav, owned by Zapatero’s daughters, for marketing work that largely consisted of “beautifying reports” prepared by Análisis Relevante. These payments continued even when there was little actual work to perform. Additionally, he stated that the commission from Plus Ultra, amounting to 1% of the company’s value, was paid through multiple shell companies over time, partly due to the controversy surrounding the case. During his testimony, Martínez admitted using his own firms to facilitate the payment structure, as outlined in earlier documents submitted by the company’s president, Julio Martínez Sola. The two men have been central figures in the investigation into the rescue of Plus Ultra, which has led to charges against Zapatero for leading an organized structure aimed at illicit influence. Martínez also downplayed the significance of a meeting he had with a finance expert to formalize the creation of a new company, suggesting it played a minor role in the overall scheme. Meanwhile, the PSOE has expressed growing concern over the lack of clarity regarding Zapatero’s involvement. Several party leaders, including Andalusian vice-secretary María Márquez, have publicly called for Zapatero to explain his actions, noting that “nothing of what is being discussed has to do with the president we have known.” President Cristina Narbona, speaking in a Senate committee session, acknowledged that she still does not know the origin of the jewels valued at €1.3 million that were found in Zapatero’s office, nor does she fully understand his relationship with Martínez. She stressed that the party continues to support Zapatero’s right to presumption of innocence while acknowledging the need for judicial independence. Zapatero himself made headlines last month when he appeared before the National Court, denying any involvement in the rescue of Plus Ultra. He reiterated his claim of innocence in a statement following his testimony, saying, “I have committed no grave crimes. I always acted with decency and honesty. Now I must prove my innocence.” Despite these denials, the evidence presented by Martínez and others has cast doubt on his position, particularly given the financial ties between Zapatero and the companies linked to the rescue. The government, under pressure to maintain public support for Zapatero, has attempted to balance political loyalty with legal accountability. Officials have defended the decision to approve the rescue package, citing technical assessments and external advisory input. However, internal tensions within the PSOE remain high, especially concerning the contracts between Whathefav and other entities associated with Zapatero. As the investigation unfolds, the party will likely continue to advocate for Zapatero’s rights while awaiting further developments from the judiciary.