Sánchez defends Zapatero against the investigation into the jewels and assures: "He has guaranteed me that he will demonstrate their legality"

The investigation affecting José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has also been addressed during Sánchez's interview with Aimar Bretos on Hoy por Hoy. The President of the Government has reiterated his support for the former president, appealing to the presumption of innocence and demanding that the judicial procedure advance without interference, given that it is still in an initial stage. 

"What I understand is that there is a legacy, a trajectory of President Zapatero that makes us, more than ever, have to defend his presumption of innocence and also let justice work, in this case, which is at the beginning of this process," he pointed out.

Regarding the statements of other investigated individuals who place Zapatero at the center of certain decisions, Sánchez responded that they may be part of their own defense strategies. He also questioned the media treatment of some accusations. "What happens here is that it already seems that the word of the politician, in this case of the former politician, is worth less than the word of an alleged criminal," he affirmed.

The president has also defended that mediation or influence activities carried out by former presidents are common in numerous democracies. "The actions of mediation, influence, lobbying that former government presidents can do, in a vast majority occur in the world," he explained. "He has never spoken to me about this company."

Asked about the accusations related to an alleged role of Zapatero in the financial rescue, Sánchez denied having received any request from him related to the investigated company. He also insisted that the financial operation was not a rescue, but a loan. "First, it was not a rescue, it was a loan. Secondly, endorsed by all judicial instances, by the General State Intervention," he defended.

Sánchez has assured that the file was reviewed by different agencies and has concluded that it is "impoluto". He has also been emphatic in explaining his personal relationship with Zapatero: "I, who have had many conversations with President Zapatero, he has never spoken to me about this company, never".

Regarding the jewels linked to the investigation, the president has assured that he asked Zapatero himself about their origin and that he told him that he will be able to demonstrate their legality before justice. Sánchez has admitted that he does not know why this accreditation has not yet occurred. Finally asked about a possible indictment of the PSOE as a legal entity in any of the open cases, Sánchez has avoided anticipating events and has insisted on distinguishing between a judicial investigation and a conviction. "Indictment is not a conviction", he recalled.