President Pedro Sánchez has broken his silence on the Plus Ultra case, showing his support for José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero following his indictment over the airline's bailout. Sánchez has emphasized his respect for the presumption of innocence, while the opposition criticizes the management of the multi-million dollar rescue amid the COVID-19 crisis. The case continues to generate political debate.
How financial control systems failed in the airline bailout 🔍
The Plus Ultra case exposes vulnerabilities in the audit processes and granting of public credits. Risk assessment systems, based on solvency algorithms and predictive models, failed to detect irregularities in the airline's balance sheets. Compliance experts point out that greater automation and blockchain traceability in rescue funds would have allowed conflicts of interest to be identified before authorizing the 53 million euros.
The bailout that doesn't take off: Zapatero indicted and the plane remains grounded ✈️
While judges investigate Zapatero for managing the bailout, Plus Ultra continues flying, but its judicial file never quite takes off. Sánchez, meanwhile, acts as an emergency co-pilot: he supports his predecessor but does not clarify whether the public money was used for fuel or to pay lawyers. At least, the presumption of innocence travels in business class, without a mask or overbooking.