The former President of the Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, appears in the Senate within the framework of the investigation commission of the so-called ‘Koldo case’, where the public bailout of the airline Plus Ultra is being analyzed. The session was promoted by the Popular Party with the aim of clarifying whether Zapatero had any role in the dealings related to the granting of public aid to the airline.
During the appearance, questions will be raised about his possible links with businessmen related to the operation and whether he could have mediated in any way in the rescue approved by the Government. The rescue of Plus Ultra generated political controversy from the beginning, as some parties questioned the viability of the airline and the criteria used to grant it aid. In this context, the opposition tries to determine if there was preferential treatment or particular interests behind the decision.
He will also have to answer for another rescue, that of Air Europa, and the alleged payment of commissions by Zapatero and Víctor de Aldama to José Luis Ábalos, so that he would accelerate the rescue of the Hidalgo airline. Zapatero's appearance in the Senate takes place in the midst of the election campaign in Castilla y León. The former president will go next March 6 to León, his hometown, to a rally where he will support the PSOE candidate for the Castilian-Leonese board, Carlos Martínez.
