The accusation in the case has already crossed borders. And in what way.
In just a few hours, some of the main international media have placed the judicial investigation against the former Spanish president on their digital covers or international politics sections, presenting the case as a real institutional bomb for and for the PSOE.
Although for the moment no official statements from major European leaders have emerged or foreign presidents about the accusation – something logical given the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter and because it is an ongoing judicial procedure – the international media impact is being enormous.
Especially because many foreign media highlight a fact that they consider historic: it is the first time since the democratic restoration in Spain that a former president of the Government has been formally investigated for corruption.
The case already appears in Washington, London or Rome
One of the most forceful media has been The Times, which has dedicated an extensive piece to the international dimension of the investigation, focusing on business connections, the alleged money laundering crimes and relations with Venezuela around of the Plus Ultra rescue.
The Guardian has also taken the matter to its international coverage, describing it as a political blow of enormous significance for Pedro Sánchez’s entourage and highlighting the unprecedented dimension of the judicial investigation.
In the United States, The Washington Post published information based on international cables in which it summarizes the accusations against Zapatero and highlights the political earthquake caused in Spain.
Financial Times, for its part, has focused especially on the economic and political implications of the Plus Ultra case, while Euronews presents it as part of the growing judicial and political pressure surrounding the Spanish Executive.
and in ItaliaLa Repubblica has been especially graphic in defining the investigation as “an attack on the heart of sanchismo”considering Zapatero one of the great political and ideological supports of the current President of the Government.
No official international reactions… for now
Despite the enormous media coverage, for now there have been no public statements by presidents, prime ministers or major European leaders speaking directly about the accusation of Zapatero.
The international dimension is, above all, media and analytical.
Outside Spainthe dominant focus is not so much on the national partisan fight as on the institutional impact of the case: a former president investigated for alleged influence peddling, money laundering and criminal organization linked to the rescue of an airline financed with public money.
Many foreign analyzes also connect the judicial case with the political moment it is going through. Pedro Sanchez and with other recent scandals that affect the socialist environment. Politico, for example, interprets the accusation as a new element of wear and tear for a Government that already lives under strong political and judicial pressure.
A case followed with enormous attention outside of Spain
The international impact also has an added element: Zapatero is a well-known figure outside of Spain, especially in Latin America and in certain European diplomatic circles.
His role as a mediator in Venezuela, his international contacts and his regular presence in international forums explain why the news has had an immediate echo outside the country.
Meanwhile, in Spain internal political reactions continue to accumulate. The PP is already talking about a “historic scandal”, the Government maintains its support for the former president and figures such as Mercedes Milá and Pablo Iglesias have publicly come out in his defense.
