The Moncloa is linked to Zapatero (despite the declaration of 'Julito')

MadridDespite Julio Martínez's change in strategy, which implicates former president José Luis Zapatero in the Plus Ultra rescue, Moncloa maintains its script. In the press conference following the council of ministers, the spokesperson, Elma Saiz, defended the credit granted to the airline during the pandemic and, furthermore, assured that from the Spanish executive they "continue to maintain the presumption of innocence" of Zapatero. Saiz did not want to deviate from this: she refused to comment on the statements of Julio Martínez (alias "Julito") and also of the president of Plus Ultra, Julio Martínez Sola, who point to the former president as a key figure in the rescue, as the National Police does through the UDEF, and limited herself to saying that the judicial investigation is in an initial phase.

In this regard, Moncloa's account is based on two pillars: on the one hand, that the 53 million to Plus Ultra were delivered following the established procedure, "without pressure" from anyone; and, on the other, that they believe Zapatero's version, who until now has limited himself to denying everything. "Nothing changes," assure sources from the Spanish government on the same day that Julito confirmed Zapatero's role before the judge of the National High Court."Of all the versions, we believe Zapatero's," they state, as they attribute "Julito's" statement to a defense strategy to emerge unscathed. However, does this mean that Moncloa has more details about the former president's account or about the jewels found in his office? According to Pedro Sánchez's circle, not right now, but, likewise, they continue to trust that it will be explained sooner or later publicly. "We are waiting for it," these sources affirm.

In fact, the only things Zapatero has publicly said so far are two things: he published a video on the day the case broke out, May 19, to deny any involvement in the Plus Ultra rescue; and he issued a statement on the day he testified before Judge José Luis Calama, just a month ago, in which he asked for "trust" from the citizens because the truth would be known sooner or later. When asked about this situation, the Spanish vice-president, Yolanda Díaz, also present at the post-council of ministers press conference, asked Zapatero to explain himself publicly. Although she subscribed to Elma Saiz's words, she did go further in demanding that the former Spanish president defend himself, also politically. "There is unease, sadness and concern among the citizens," she stated.

The PP aims, on the other hand, for Moncloa

According to the PP, the "confessions" of both Julio Martínez Martínez and the Plus Ultra executives, sent in writing to the National Court, not only compromise José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero but also "point to Moncloa". "It is evident that Zapatero, Moncloa and the PSOE have been lying for weeks because they have no other option left," said the popular spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, at a press conference in the lower house, prior to the conclusion of the businessman's statement. Although there is no proof for now, Muñoz believes it is evident that "Zapatero called the president or a minister" to favor the airline's bailout and argues that Pedro Sánchez's future is inseparable from what happens with Zapatero because "they are the same". "They have always done everything together," she stressed.

On behalf of Vox, parliamentary spokesperson Pepa Millán, has defended that “without the current government of Spain and without Sánchez’s tolerance, Zapatero’s activities could not have been carried out”. However, at another press conference in Congress, Millán pointed out that Martínez Martínez’s statements “must be verified” because “on their own they do not constitute proof”. Nevertheless, the far-right party criticizes that the Spanish president continues at Moncloa when there are indications that “Zapatero would be the leader of a large-scale scheme” of which Sánchez is “a partner and architect of the worst known corruption”.

On the other hand, from Catalonia, Esquerra has avoided vouching for Zapatero, but has emphasized that there must be "proof" of what the businessmen also indicted in the case say. Meanwhile, the commons have been harsher: they have stated that the former president’s actions are “inexplicable”. “No progressive understands that someone from the socialist party has 1.5 million euros in a safe,” he concluded.