José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has several faces. The first, that of the progressive politician committed to opposing the war and to social advances such as the Equality law, the right to abortion, or same-sex marriage. The second, that of a socialist Prime Minister who led a team without major scandals for seven years, but with the questionable management of the economic crisis that cost him the mandate. The third, that of a low-profile former head of government, with approaches to countries like Venezuela or China. And since last Tuesday: a fourth, that of the first former Spanish leader investigated for allegedly leading an “organized scheme” dedicated to enriching themselves in exchange for their influence in high places.

The European Court of Justice will set a precedent on the Amnesty law for the first time on Thursday and will give the green light for the Constitutional Court (TC) to rule on the protection appeals pending resolution two years after the entry into force of the criminal forgetfulness. The ruling, beyond the legal effects, will have political repercussions. If favorable, it will represent a boost to the Government of Pedro Sánchez’s bet – heavily criticized in the first part of the legislature by PP and Vox – and will begin to clear the way for the return of former president Carles Puigdemont and former ministers Lluís Puig and Toni Comín, who are still expatriated.