zapatero

In Spain, Relevant News Item 20th May 2026

National Court charges former Prime Minister Zapatero with four offences

The judge of the National Court (Audiencia Nacional), José Luis Calama, is not only investigating the €53 million public bailout granted to the airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic, but also an alleged business and financial structure that reportedly operated to influence political decisions, move suspicious funds, and channel payments through shell companies. The combined offenses attributed to the alleged network carry penalties of up to 22 years in prison,…

Spanish economy 11th December 2013

Will Spain’s risk premium let the government sleep at last?

MADRID| By Julia Pastor | Spain’s credit quality and solvency is increasingly improving. The country’s risk premium closed at 219 basis points on Tuesday to its lowest level since June of 2012, and under Italy’s. Also Spanish 10-years bonds neared 4% yield, more than double than the German ones. Public debt investors do not have much better options.

Spanish economy 16th April 2012

Rajoy’s bitterness at being treated like Zapatero

MADRID | The new team in power in Spain never thought they could one day being mercilessly mauled by markets as the previous government was. Spanish Conservatism was supposed to stand as a safe harbour in a euro zone vastly dominated by fellow political parties. Swift implementation of sweeping reforms, coupled with an extremely tight budget, was expected to act as a powerful lever to winch up ailing credibility. And yet, Madrid…