The Government defended this Thursday, with an extensive document, the loan of 53 million euros granted on March 9, 2021, to the airline Plus Ultra. A financial aid, charged to the support fund for the solvency of strategic companies after the coronavirus pandemic crisis, now in the eye of the legal, political, and media storm following the indictment of former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged corruption crimes that would have their origin in this Government bailout.
Plus Ultra, as an airline company, “was part of a strategic sector, as established by the regulations, and met the requirements in a company of this sector.” “The aids respond to an administrative procedure,” the Government claims.
And it argues that the airlines that needed it due to the impact of the pandemic, “and met the requirements,” received loans from this government fund. Specifically, a total of 890 million euros for Air Europa, Volotea 200, Air Nostrum, Plus Ultra, Wamos Air, and Evelop Airlines, as a beneficiary of the Avoris aid.
“The awarding of the loans is based on a regulated framework, where there is no room for discretion, arbitrariness, or discrimination. The regulations require strict compliance with the established requirements,” the Executive justifies. In the administrative procedure, it adds, the technical services of Sepi, external advisors, and the beneficiary company itself participate.
Read more A judge orders the halt of the construction works of the Montecarmelo megacanton
The Government thus highlights that “the favorable resolution of the file by the managing council was made based on half a dozen technical reports.” “All of them endorsed and confirmed Plus Ultra’s compliance with the established requirements. Subsequently, the Council of Ministers authorizes the proposal of the managing council,” it points out.
“These loans have exhaustive control by the Administration, with an administrative and guarantor procedure,” the Government emphasizes. And, regarding the specific file of Plus Ultra, within the support fund for the solvency of strategic companies, it assures that “it was processed and endorsed by the technical services of Sepi, had the advice of both external financial and legal advisors, was unsuccessfully reviewed by the Madrid Court of Instruction No. 15, by the Prosecutor’s Office, by numerous popular accusations, and also by a court expert, and analyzed by the European Commission, “which found no irregularity in the state aid regime.”
Furthermore, the Executive indicates that said file is included in the audit of the General Intervention of the State Administration, overseen by the Court of Auditors, “concluding the legality of the aid,” and was subject to “punctual monitoring” by the European Commission. And it concludes that the Court of Justice of the European Union also endorsed the aid regime.
Read more Lamine Yamal makes his relationship with Inés García official alongside his Barça teammates
