English
Español
🇪🇸 At a glance
Who | Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero |
What | First television interview since becoming the subject of the Plus Ultra investigation |
When | Today from 13:00 (CEST) |
Where to watch | RTVE La 1 and the official YouTube livestream |
Why it matters | The interview comes after several weeks of judicial developments in one of Spain’s most closely watched political investigations |
This page includes | Live updates, timeline, legal background and key context for international readers |
Editor's Note
This live page combines verified developments, official statements and background information to help international readers follow one of Spain’s most significant ongoing political investigations. Information is updated as events unfold and reflects the current procedural stage of the case. Allegations referred to below are part of an ongoing judicial investigation and have not been proven in court. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero denies wrongdoing.
Watch live
Live coverage begins at 13:00 (CEST).
The interview will be broadcast by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and streamed live on its official YouTube channel.
International viewers can activate YouTube’s automatic English subtitles where available.
What to expect from today's interview
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is due to give his first television interview since becoming the subject of the judicial investigation into the state rescue of Spanish airline Plus Ultra.
The interview follows several weeks of significant developments in the case, including new court proceedings, statements from individuals involved in the investigation and Zapatero’s own appearance before Spain’s National Court, where he rejected allegations that he intervened in the airline’s bailout.
This live page brings together the latest developments, verified background information and live coverage of today’s interview for readers following the story from outside Spain.
Who is José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero?
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero served as Prime Minister of Spain between 2004 and 2011 after leading the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) to victory in the general election.
During his premiership he introduced major social reforms, including the legalisation of same-sex marriage, and became one of Spain’s best-known political figures internationally.
After leaving office, Zapatero remained active in international affairs, participating in diplomatic initiatives and maintaining contacts across Europe and Latin America.
Because of his political profile, developments surrounding the Plus Ultra investigation have attracted attention beyond Spain.
Why is Zapatero speaking now?
The timing of today’s interview is significant.
It comes shortly after businessman Julio Martínez Martínez appeared before Spain’s National Court as part of the ongoing investigation.
Before giving evidence, Martínez’s legal team submitted a written statement to the investigating judge setting out his account of events surrounding the Plus Ultra bailout. In that statement, Martínez made a series of claims regarding the role he says Zapatero played in consultancy work linked to the airline’s rescue.
Those claims form part of the judicial investigation and remain subject to judicial examination. They have not been established as fact by any court. Zapatero has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has rejected allegations that he intervened in the bailout process.
Against that backdrop, today’s television interview is expected to provide Zapatero with his first opportunity to respond publicly following these latest procedural developments.
Why today's interview matters
Today’s appearance marks Zapatero’s first television interview since the investigation became public.
It also follows his recent testimony before Spain’s National Court, where he denied having intervened in the process that led to financial support for Plus Ultra during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The interview is expected to provide his most extensive public comments since the investigation began.
LIVE UPDATES
13:30 — Zapatero says the investigation has been "very difficult" for his family
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said the investigation has been “a very unexpected situation” and acknowledged that it has been a difficult period for both himself and his family.
Zapatero added that he accepts the process as a citizen who must respond within the rule of law, describing it as “a difficult and worrying situation.”
Referring to the personal impact of the case, he quoted Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, saying that hardships and setbacks become “the raw material that shapes our work.”
Asked about his daughters, Zapatero said the investigation has also been “very impactful and worrying” for them, but added that his family remains united and maintains confidence in the lawfulness of their activities.
13:20 — Zapatero declines to comment on Julio Martínez's defence strategy
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero declined to comment on the statements made by businessman Julio Martínez, saying he would not interfere with another defendant’s legal strategy.
“I defend myself. I present the facts,” Zapatero said during his RTVE interview.
He added: “I am not going to comment on Julio Martínez’s defence strategy.” Zapatero acknowledged that the two have been friends for many years, but stressed that their personal relationship should be kept separate from the ongoing judicial proceedings.
He concluded by saying: “It is not in my nature or my code of conduct to deny a friendship.”
13:15 — Zapatero rejects allegations involving his daughters
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has rejected allegations that his daughters acted as front figures in the Plus Ultra investigation, dismissing the claim with irony during his RTVE interview.
Zapatero defended his daughters’ professional work, stating that they will present their contracts, work and documentation to the courts. Asked whether consultancy firm Análisis Relevante was used to channel funds to his daughters, he replied “no”, adding that the issue will be resolved through the ongoing judicial proceedings.
13:10 — Zapatero addresses jewellery discovered during search
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said jewellery found during a police search of his office was “a personal gift resulting from a friendship”, but declined to identify the person who gave it.
Speaking on RTVE, Zapatero said he would clarify all the circumstances surrounding the matter before the courts “out of respect for the judicial proceedings.” He also rejected any suggestion that he had acted out of personal financial gain, saying he had “no intention of personal enrichment.”
13:05 — Zapatero denies wrongdoing in Plus Ultra case
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Plus Ultra investigation during his live interview on Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.
“I am absolutely convinced of my innocence,” Zapatero said, adding that it will be demonstrated that “nobody will be able to say that I exercised any influence or spoke to anyone in the government or at SEPI” regarding the airline’s 2021 state-backed rescue.
The former prime minister also rejected allegations of influence peddling or corruption linked to his professional activities.
13:00 CEST
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s interview begins.
Timeline of the Plus Ultra investigation
March 2021
Spain approved financial support for Plus Ultra through the state fund created during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist strategic companies.
2025–2026
The National Court opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bailout.
May 2026
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero became formally subject to the investigation and denied any wrongdoing.
June 2026
Zapatero appeared before Judge José Luis Calama, rejecting allegations that he influenced the bailout process.
July 2026
Further procedural developments took place before today’s television interview.
Current legal status
The judicial investigation remains ongoing.
The National Court continues to examine documentation, witness testimony and financial evidence as part of the case.
During his appearance before the investigating judge, Zapatero denied intervening in the bailout process and rejected allegations of criminal conduct.
No final judicial conclusions have been reached.
What is the Plus Ultra case?
The investigation centres on the state rescue granted to Spanish airline Plus Ultra during the COVID-19 crisis.
Spanish authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the approval of public funding, the role of private intermediaries and a series of commercial relationships connected to companies involved in the case.
The investigation remains active and the court has not reached a final decision regarding criminal responsibility.
Previous GPN coverage
Readers looking for more background can also read our previous reporting:
FAQ José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero interview
Why is José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero being investigated?
Spanish judicial authorities are investigating allegations linked to the 2021 state rescue of Plus Ultra. Zapatero denies any wrongdoing.
Has Zapatero been convicted?
No.
The investigation remains ongoing and no court has reached a final verdict.
What is Plus Ultra?
Plus Ultra is a Spanish airline that received state financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic through Spain’s strategic companies rescue fund.
Why is today's interview significant?
It is Zapatero’s first television interview since becoming the subject of the investigation and follows his appearance before Spain’s National Court.
Can international readers watch the interview?
Yes.
RTVE is streaming the interview live on YouTube, where automatic subtitles may be available for international audiences.
Information Source:
Photo Attribution:
Barack Obama, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, by The White House from Washington, DC, This file is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain. Wikimedia Commons: https://w.wiki/Sg5u
