Overview
- Wednesday's unprecedented hearing at the Audiencia Nacional saw former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero formally indicted on influence‑peddling charges tied to the 2021 Plus Ultra airline bailout.
- Investigators reported finding luxury jewellery and watches worth about €1.3 million in a safe at Zapatero's office and have opened separate tax‑fraud and smuggling inquiries linked to those items.
- Prime Minister Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, who is under investigation for embezzlement, influence peddling and related offences, appeared before a judge after being indicted earlier in April and questioned on Monday.
- Former Guardia Civil director Mercedes González is accused of taking part in a so‑called 'égouts' scheme that allegedly tried to discredit anti‑corruption prosecutors and obstruct probes into the PSOE's network.
- The cascade of cases has increased pressure from opposition parties for snap elections while Sánchez says he will stay in office and more judicial decisions on charges and potential trials are expected in the coming days, with the Audiencia Nacional central to resolving them.