From "shock" to "nuclear bomb": this is how the PSOE has experienced Zapatero's indictment

MadridSantos Cerdán sitting in his seat in Congress, engrossed, reading the UCO report. This is an image etched in the minds of many socialist leaders just a year ago. At that moment, they became aware that what had been published about Pedro Sánchez's right-hand man had indications of truth, and the catastrophe for many party leaders was total. The indictment on Monday of former Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero generated an even greater effect: Zapatero is a moral reference for the PSOE, and the judge's order pointing him out as the "leader" of a scheme organized to obtain money in exchange for political favors has been a "nuclear bomb" among the membership. "Stupefaction," socialist sources report, although also "full confidence in the former Spanish president and with the hope of still recovering." The problem is that even the shadow of suspicion means the fall of a totem: the pain is the process, and at the headquarters on Ferraz street, they know it.

This week in the corridors of Congress, socialist deputies did not hide the earthquake the news had caused them. It has shaken them, it has been an "emotional shock." One of them spoke of "sadness," but also of "anger" or a feeling of a witch hunt. "Tired," summarizes another parliamentarian, who admits the "difficulty" of a legislature marked by a "constant" fight from the right. The PSC is also not alien to this issue, and in recent days, the mood of the membership has been perceptible at different levels.

Socialist ranks consider that the PP has taken the path of removing them from Moncloa and that they have "complicities" to do so. They cite a rally by Alberto Núñez Feijóo in the Andalusian campaign in which he already predicted that there would be "news about corruption" related to Zapatero. Does the PP have privileged judicial information? Moncloa assumes that the pressure will increase. The schedule is diabolical: next week the trial of the president's brother, David Sánchez, begins, while some sources point to another case file from which the secret could soon be lifted: that of the former socialist militant Leire Díez. This very Thursday, Isabel Díaz Ayuso's right-hand man, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, threatened the Spanish president in his own way: "You will also go pa'lante".

"There are different measures," says a congressman, who assures that progressives do not understand how the former socialist president is indicted and not "M. Rajoy." Neither is former president José María Aznar, when they recall that he and his circle do "business." "But people don't give up. Their combative streak comes out," adds a source, who senses that the membership is eager for Zapatero to explain himself and go on the "offensive." From Ferraz they assure that they continue to work with the horizon of the Spanish elections in 2027 and also with the municipal and regional elections, for which a federal committee has already been convened for next June 27.

Analysis of the judge's ruling

However, unlike other cases, the PSOE does not directly speak of a political operation. In fact, it has been downplaying the initial reaction: the organization secretary, Rebeca Torró, paraphrased José María Aznar when she learned the news: "It's a whoever can do it, let them do it in its highest expression," she said. Later, however, Moncloa has taken care not to attack the judge. Magistrate José Luis Calama is not Juan Carlos Peinado appearance before the Senate summoned by the PP"Almost everyone has been surprised by the order because it is not the image they had of Zapatero," synthesizes a former socialist leader consulted, as the membership has an idyllic vision of the progressive leader. Most were not even aware of his activities as a consultant, especially between Venezuela and China. He himself explained in the appearance he made in the Senate, summoned by the PP, that he has been self-employed since 2012 and admitted that he had been paid by the company Análisis Relevante for consulting services, and that his daughters' company What The Fav handled communication matters. However, he also rejected that he had made any arrangements to obtain the rescue of Plus Ultra through the Spanish government. In this regard, Moncloa sources recall that lobbying activity is not a crime and defend the legality of the Plus Ultra rescue.

From the PSOE they also cling to the fact that there are no direct messages from the former president, but from third parties who claim to be in direct contact with Zapatero. At the same time, they add that to prove a crime of influence peddling, the identification of those allegedly corrupt within the administration is necessary. They challenge that it be proven what specific action Zapatero took to achieve it: "It is very difficult to prove something that has not existed". El Confidencial, however, has already advanced that in the UDEF report within the summary, "high officials" of the administration who contacted the alleged criminal plot have been identified, but for now they have not transpired. Precisely, in the opinion of one of those consulted, the fact that the weight of the investigation has been driven by the UDEF, the economic and fiscal crime unit of the National Police, gives more credibility to the imputation than if the main report were from the UCO, the central operational unit of the Civil Guard, which within the PSOE is considered closer to the PP.

An "end of a cycle"?

Zapatero's indictment came 48 hours after the socialist defeat in the Andalusian elections. Two strong blows in a short time that have left the party with a feeling of "dismantling", defines a consulted leader. In fact, the most critical are wondering if it is an "end of a cycle". This same voice laments that the current PSOE Secretary General has "killed" the debate within the party and that there is no alternative figure. "What do Emiliano García Page or Felipe González do beyond talking? Nothing", he laments, adding that everyone knows that whoever raises their finger will disappear from the photo.

After the Andalusian elections, only two critical currents have emerged: an internal Andalusian current –Més PSOE– has called for a profound "renewal" of the party and Spanish elections now; while the platform of former minister Jordi Sevilla, Socialdemocràcia 21, has also called for the resignation of the candidate, María Jesús Montero, and a federal committee.

Sánchez has secured control of all federations: the operation of sending ministers to all autonomies was also about that. The most optimistic still have hope that, after the initial shock over Zapatero, a comeback will be possible. How? By taking action: a voice with electoral experience points out that the case could turn around if Zapatero starts to defend himself with arguments and convinces the left-wing electorate that it is an unfounded accusation. That is to say, playing the card of internal cohesion against the attack of third parties.