José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will not attend the events with Pope Leo XIV at the Royal Palace or the Congress. He was invited, but claims an unavoidable commitment. The real reason is his preparation to testify before a judge on corruption charges. The coincidence is striking: he had time in his schedule for the Vatican, but not to combine it with the courthouse. Spanish politics once again shows its uncomfortable relationship with justice.
The digital agenda as an alibi to dodge court dates 📅
In the era of synchronized calendars and time management apps, it is curious that a former president cannot reschedule a court date. Current tools allow blocking time slots and receiving alerts weeks in advance. However, the system seems to fail when the judge calls. Technology offers planning solutions, but political will remains the weak link. It is not a software problem, but one of priorities.
The Pope waits, the judge calls, and the politician slips out the back door 🚪
Zapatero has discovered that Vatican protocol is less demanding than an investigating court. While Pope Leo XIV is left without a distinguished guest, the judge waits patiently. Next time a politician says they have no room in their schedule, perhaps we should ask if their calendar has an emergency button to flee from justice. After all, one can always claim an impromptu trip to Lourdes.