Zapatero is another Spanish Socialist falling in disgrace – Wiki Commons
Socialists in Spain are floundering.
Still reeling from the successive electoral defeats, embattled Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his Socialist party have another problem to deal with: his key ally (and former Prime Minister) José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been raided by the police and charged with money laundering, influence peddling and other criminal offenses.
The alleged crimes were committed in connection with the 2021 bailout of Plus Ultra airlines.
This comes as Sánchez’s brother, wife and main PSOE leaders are all being investigated or under indictment for corruption or for sexual harassment.
BIG SCANDAL: Ex-Spanish PM Zapatero formally under investigation for corruption
The socialist who wrecked Spain is now under investigation by a judge for money laundering, influence peddling & more over the shady €53M public bailout to Venezuelan-linked airline Plus Ultra.… https://t.co/vgYekOFW7o pic.twitter.com/ehFnMtXMCg
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 19, 2026
BREAKING:
Spain’s socialist former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero just got indicted on corruption charges:
– Money Laundering
– Forming a Criminal Organization
– Falsifying Documents
– Influence Peddling
The case concerns his meddling in the Plus Ultra Case, a… pic.twitter.com/bAsOV74JUF
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 19, 2026
Politico reported:
“In a statement, the Court confirmed that the National Police’s Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit had raided the former prime minister’s offices and the headquarters of Whathefav SL, a company owned by Zapatero’s daughters.
According to the order summoning the ex-Socialist Party leader to testify on June 2, Zapatero is suspected of illegally collecting €1.95 million of the €53 million in public cash used to bail out Plus Ultra amid the Covid pandemic. The court brief alleges he used offshore companies based in the United Arab Emirates to funnel the funds.”
Watch: Spanish police raids Zapatero’s offices.
La Audiencia imputa a Zapatero por blanqueo y la Policía registra su oficina y la empresa de sus hijas https://t.co/Hy8ksiSfwM pic.twitter.com/HeHL6MCzUA
— EL MUNDO (@elmundoes) May 19, 2026
“Although Zapatero, who ruled Spain between 2004 and 2011, was not initially one of Sánchez’s key supporters, he has become a major ally in recent years. During Spain’s 2023 national election, Zapatero enthusiastically campaigned on Sánchez’s behalf. His support was crucial in the immediate aftermath of a disastrous debate performance that left many doubting the country’s prime minister could remain in power, and ultimately helped rally an ‘old guard’ that had long been skeptical of Sánchez.”
Read more:
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The post Another Spanish Socialist Charged With Money Laundering and Influence Peddling – Former Prime Minister and Key Sánchez Ally, Zapatero Has His Offices Raided by Police appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.