The indictment of former President of the Government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has opened a rift within the progressive coalition led by Pedro Sánchez.
The staunch defense that some of the government's partners mounted around the former socialist leader at the beginning of the week has gradually crumbled as the details of the order from the National High Court judge José Luis Calama have become known, which outlines an alleged corrupt scheme surrounding the rescue of the airline Plus Ultra.
Precisely, that unease has spilled over to the minority partner in the government, casting doubt, once again, on the unity that the members of the Executive boast about.
Thus, while the PSOE still insists this Friday on defending to the hilt the one who was head of the Executive between 2004 and 2011, Sumar is becoming increasingly skeptical about Zapatero's judicial future.
PSOE reiterates its confidence in Zapatero
From Barcelona, the Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Parliamentary Relations, Félix Bolaños, reiterated his support for the former President of the Government this Friday: "I reiterate my confidence in President Zapatero".
Bolaños stressed the need to allow justice to act, mentioning the National High Court, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the State security forces and bodies, especially the UDEF.
In a speech at an event of the Generalitat, he pointed out that the investigation is in a very early, "embryonic" phase, based solely on indications that have prompted the initial proceedings.
The minister added that Zapatero's own explanations have not yet been heard, and he will have to appear within the framework of the proceedings.
In the same vein, from Alicante, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, defended the legacy of the former socialist president. For her part, the Minister of Housing, Isabel Rodríguez, appealed for respect for the rule of law and the presumption of innocence, expressing her confidence in Zapatero "as long as the contrary is not proven".
Díaz calls for explanations and to "let the courts act"
From Sumar, however, expectations about the former President of the Government's future are cooling.
Last Wednesday, Yolanda Díaz's party called for prudence in the case and demanded that the facts be investigated "to the end". This is how the spokesperson for Sumar in Congress, Verónica Barbero, referred to the matter.
However, the position today is different. From Badajoz, the Vice President of the Government and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, has demanded quick explanations from Zapatero after his indictment. The leader of Sumar has insisted on the need to combine transparency and prudence, underlining that justice must be the one to determine the scope of the case.
Díaz has defended that, in the face of any judicial proceeding, "it is time to give explanations and let the courts act", a position she has said to maintain constantly in similar situations. At the same time, she has asked to avoid political confrontation in this context and to respect the development of the investigation.
In her speech, she has also directed criticism at the Popular Party, whose role in the opposition she has reproached. In her opinion, political disagreements must be resolved within the constitutional framework and not through institutional pressure strategies. In this regard, she has urged the PP to act as a "state party" and has even called for the presentation of a motion of no confidence as an exercise of political responsibility.
Urtasun asks for "clear, quick, and concise" explanations
For his part, the Minister of Culture and spokesperson for Sumar, Ernest Urtasun, has agreed on the need for both Zapatero and the PSOE to offer "clear, quick, and concise" explanations. In an interview on TVE, he pointed out that the main objective is to preserve the stability of the coalition government.
Urtasun has asked for prudence and has warned that in the past some investigations have been used politically, which is why he has called for avoiding premature judgments and ensuring equitable treatment for all those involved.
From the Government, however, other members of Díaz's party have shown themselves to be more critical. This is the case of the Minister of Social Affairs and Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, who stated this Thursday that he shares the "anger" and "weariness" of many progressive citizens after the indictment of the former president of the Government.
Bustinduy also demanded that the investigation proceed quickly and that the facts be clarified as soon as possible, with the aim of knowing the full truth about the case.
For the moment, it does not seem that the diversity of opinions on the case within the Executive will endanger its continuity. The PSOE, for its part, insists on Zapatero's innocence and closes ranks with him.
From Galicia, the spokesperson for the Socialist Party Patxi López has defended him forcefully this Friday: "From my life experience, I am absolutely convinced that he has neither been corrupted nor is he a corrupt person, unless proven otherwise with evidence".
Zapatero's judicial journey may also shape the future, bitter or not, of the coalition.