Spain’s Former PM Investigated in Airline Bailout Probe

### Executive Summary Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been summoned to Spain’s National Court over allegations of influence peddling and possible money laundering related to a €53 million government bailout of airline Plus Ultra; the investigation alleges a structured network using shell companies, falsified documents, and kickbacks routed through associates and front companies, while Zapatero denies the accusations and has called for respect for the presumption of innocence.