PSOE maintains 'absolute confidence' in Zapatero while denouncing judicial 'rush' to topple Sánchez government before summer

Party maintains confidence in Zapatero

Montse Mínguez, spokesperson for the PSOE's Federal Executive, said on Saturday the party has "absolute confidence" in former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, even as he faces investigation in the Plus Ultra case. Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court is examining Zapatero's role in the airline's bailout and has now broadened the inquiry to include alleged influence peddling. The judge also ordered a valuation of jewels seized from Zapatero's office, reportedly worth over 1.3 million euros, leading to separate charges of tax fraud and smuggling.

There are explanations that must be given.

Judicial calendar under fire

Mínguez denounced what she called a rushed judicial calendar aimed at bringing down Pedro Sánchez's government before summer. She stressed that so far there are only police reports from the UCO, not a judicial sentence finding Zapatero guilty.

In this country lately we are used to assuming that everything written in a UCO report is taken as true.

She called for respect of the presumption of innocence, while also noting that actions against the conservative Popular Party tend to move more slowly.

They are setting a judicial calendar for us with a lot of rush so that this government falls before the summer.

A critical week for the government

Alongside Zapatero's testimony, which was postponed from 2 June to 17 and 18 June, a cascade of other cases is set to unfold. The wife of Pedro Sánchez, Begoña Gómez, will testify again before a judge, and a verdict is expected in the trial of former minister José Luis Ábalos. The director of the Civil Guard, Mercedes González, is due to appear before the Senate to explain meetings with former socialist militant Leire Díez, referred to as the PSOE's "plumber". Mínguez distanced the party from Ábalos, stating he has not been a member for two and a half years.