Montero’s earlier comments have resurfaced after Zapatero was charged in the Plus Ultra investigation.
The indictment of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in the so‑called Plus Ultra case has refocused attention on earlier public remarks by María Jesús Montero, who repeatedly lauded the Socialist leader during the recent Andalusian campaign and even mentioned that she aspired to emulate him politically in the future.
The former Finance Minister’s remarks have resurfaced after the court moved to investigate Zapatero for alleged offenses such as influence peddling, participation in a criminal organization, and document forgery tied to the probe into the Plus Ultra airline bailout.
During several campaign events organized by the Andalusian branch of the PSOE, Montero portrayed the former prime minister as a key figure within the party. At a rally in Jaén, she described him as her “good luck charm” and said he was “a good man” and a political example she would like to emulate.
Public displays of support were also repeated at events in Huelva and Cádiz. During those appearances, Montero highlighted Zapatero’s role as one of Pedro Sánchez’s main political allies and praised his commitment to defending the Socialist project. She even stated that, once her own political career ended, she hoped “in a few years” to become someone like the former prime minister.
Those remarks have gained fresh political relevance after Zapatero was indicted by Spain’s National Court. The investigating judge is assessing whether the former Socialist leader was involved in an alleged influence network connected to the authorization of public aid for Plus Ultra during the pandemic.
The judicial case focuses on the €53 million government bailout approved in 2021 to prevent the airline’s collapse. Investigators are examining whether improper political pressure or institutional influence may have been used to favor the company during the approval process.
According to court documents included in the proceedings, the judge believes Zapatero may have used his institutional contacts to facilitate favorable decisions related to the rescue package. The investigation is also examining alleged business connections and payments involving figures close to the former prime minister.
Although opposition parties have seized on Montero’s earlier remarks to heighten political pressure on the PSOE, Socialist officials continue to uphold Zapatero’s presumption of innocence until the judicial process reaches its conclusion.
Main Source: Libertad Digital https://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/politica/2026-05-19/la-bochornosa-hemeroteca-de-montero-con-zapatero-imputado-en-el-caso-plus-ultra-en-unos-anos-quiero-ser-como-el-7406422/
