The piece never expected to witness a moment like this. How will those who once approached the Palau with a quiet reverence respond now to the so‑called casidios around Zaplana? The very people who, upon seeing him behind bars, turned their backs and condemned him may find their stance shifting in light of recent events.
To illustrate the point, consider the small but telling twist of fate that began with the discovery of documents in an apartment once owned by a former president. That thread pulled everything into focus. It also set in motion the arrest that happened two days before a 2018 Levante-EMV gala, sending Zaplana to prison as the celebration wound down. And today, the sentence lands on the day these awards are handed out. A matter of fate, perhaps, or simply the unpredictability of a long, tangled story.
The recollection turns to a friend who spent countless nights in the newsroom chasing dead ends when many dreamed of a garden in bloom. The relentless pursuit of Julio Iglesias contracts drew back the curtain on the hidden side of Zaplana’s government. In those lean moments, this kind of journalism was dismissed, yet it shines with clarity in hindsight, proving its merit when pressure and opportunity converge.
The memory also centers on the indispensable figures in any corruption investigation, the so‑called buccaneers who usually stay in the shadows, as if dirty dealings were an obligation. There is always room for a quiet no, a literary I would rather not do it. The opposite must not be believed.
A nod then to privatization policy and the argument that it hides shady deals. The use of ITV inspections for this purpose invites reflection on the prices paid by users over the years, often without real escape or competition, suggesting that service could have been both cheaper and more efficient.
The author confesses that it matters little whether Zaplana returns to prison. The magistrates weighing the evidence and testimonies have reached a verdict about the power he once wielded, a verdict that feels heavy for someone who held so much influence. The hope expressed is simply for equal treatment under the law, the same standard applied to every citizen.
“We are a new generation,” declared a deputy leader of the regional party. The claim will require proof, even if the faces look new, for not all of them are. An apology when the process concludes would not hurt, it would be wise to consider. Because Gürtel, Taula, Blasco… Erial is not exempt. Pretending that those events never happened is not a solution. After Zaplana, and likely after other figures as well, there is a desire to believe that something truly novel exists. Today, the writer concedes that such hope is difficult, though it is noted that this sentiment has persisted across many conversations in recent days.
Today, the sense of unfinished business remains. Questions linger about accountability and reform, and the discussion keeps circling back to what comes next for governance and for those who report on it.