This election night is expected to be long and not only because in at least three polling stations the day was extended by a few minutes due to late setup. The main reason is that, if the polls and the campaign teams’ calculations are correct, the result will not be decisive until almost the last vote has been counted.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has dismissed the appeals filed by Begoña Gómez, her advisor in Moncloa Cristina Álvarez, and businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés against his decision to refer the case to a jury if it ultimately goes to trial, while also once again rejecting the dismissal of the investigation for the crimes of influence peddling, corruption in private sector business, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds in relation to the chair held by the wife of the Prime Minister at the Complutense University of Madrid.

At the end of the reports from the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the National Police, the investigators reach the “conclusion” that there is “sufficient evidence” to place José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero at the head of an organized network of influence peddling in favor of clients – such as Plus Ultra – who would pay, through a corporate environment controlled by his partner, the former Prime Minister.