Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – El Abierto | Un juicio visto para sentencia y el último apoyo de Junts

Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Location: Baluarte, Pamplona
Key Guests: María Chivite (Presidenta de Navarra), panel of analysts (Mariola Urrea, Carlos Sánchez, Cristina Monge, etc.)

Main Theme

A deep-dive into two major current issues in Spanish politics:

1. The judicial process against the Fiscal General del Estado (State Attorney General), recently concluded and awaiting sentencing, including the wider institutional fallout and media implications.
2. The intricate and shifting relationship between the Sánchez government and Junts, illustrated by the latest parliamentary vote and the ongoing volatility of legislative alliances.

The episode centers on critical analysis, institutional trust, political maneuvering, and the effects of judicial and political decisions on both the public and the government.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome and Scene-Setting (00:00–02:10)

• The show is broadcast live from Pamplona, highlighting the unique atmosphere and connection with local listeners.
• Àngels Barceló introduces the panel and welcomes María Chivite, applauding her presence and the challenging weather.

2. Interview with María Chivite, Presidenta de Navarra

Evaluación de Navarra y Debate de Comunidad (02:10–03:19)

• Chivite claims satisfaction after the State of the Community debate and emphasizes Navarra’s top rank in quality of life in Spain, attributing it to economic strength, public services, and environmental quality.
  • Quote: "Somos la comunidad con mayor calidad de vida de España y creo que eso nos tiene que enorgullecer como navarros y navarras." (02:18, María Chivite)

Caso Coldo y Transparencia (03:19–05:06)

• On the "caso Coldo" and accusations of corruption: Chivite insists on transparency, three audits, acknowledges administrative errors but denies corruption.
• Recent legislation for lobbying transparency and audits of public contracts.
  • Quote: "No hay atisbo de corrupción. Tenemos que seguir haciendo cosas, no nos podemos paralizar." (03:19, María Chivite)
  • Transparency is a daily task, and trust is built "con la verdad".

Relación con Santos Cerdán (05:06–06:07)

• Discusses being shocked and personally affected by revelations about close associate Santos Cerdán.
  • Quote: "Me sorprendió y me dolió personalmente también.” (05:29, María Chivite)

Presupuestos y Acuerdos Políticos (06:07–08:42)

• Navarra has managed seven budget agreements since 2019. Chivite credits dialogue and willingness of other parties.
• She is asked whether the Sánchez government can last without new national budgets, especially if Junts withdraws support. She believes the President is committed but admits it will be difficult without budgets.
  • Quote: "Sin presupuestos es más difícil. No es imposible, es más difícil." (08:42, María Chivite)

Política Fiscal y Relación con Bildu (08:42–10:40)

• Defends recent fiscal agreement with Bildu to reduce the corporate tax top rate only if companies meet social benchmarks (job security, gender equality, etc.), rejecting any 'dumping' comparison with Madrid.
  • Quote: "Beneficios fiscales que consiguen beneficios sociales, si no, no habrá beneficios fiscales." (09:14, María Chivite)

Relaciones con China y Conectividad Internacional (10:40–13:52)

• Returning to strategic alliances with a Chinese region, boosting industrial collaboration, and improving Pamplona’s connections (air, rail).
• Cites loss of the direct Frankfurt flight due to the pandemic as harmful, wants to restore it.

Violencia y “Cale Borroka” (13:52–16:41)

• Addresses recent violent incidents around far-right influencer Vito Quiles. Chivite strongly condemns all violence and underscores Navarra's commitment to peaceful coexistence.
  • Quote: "La violencia es algo que rechazamos porque queremos abrir otros espacios, porque aquí se vive bien y queremos seguir viviendo muy bien." (14:12, María Chivite)
• Denies minimizing violence to appease partners, stresses condemnation was immediate and public.

Juicio al Fiscal General del Estado (16:41–17:46)

• Chivite expresses belief in the Attorney General’s innocence and states institutions were weakened by the judicial process.
  • Quote: "Creo que en este juicio quien ha salido debilitado son las instituciones en general..." (16:57, María Chivite)
• Argues the trial’s outcome is less important than regaining institutional credibility.

3. El Juicio al Fiscal General del Estado: Claves y Debate

Resumen Del Juicio (18:04–32:51)

• Pedro Jiménez recaps key elements:

  • The prosecution holds firm, alleging García Ortiz (Fiscal General) responsible for leaking the email revealing Ayuso’s partner’s tax crimes.

  • Journalistic testimony is devalued by the prosecution due to "source protection"— compared to defendants’ testimony.

    • Quote: "Pueden acogerse al derecho a no revelar sus fuentes... se encuentran en una situación análoga a los investigados..." (20:18, Pedro Jiménez)

  • Defense rejects all direct evidence of García Ortiz’s involvement, denouncing the investigation’s narrow focus and procedural irregularities, e.g., deletion of emails only later, not suspiciously.

    • Quote: "En relación con que la filtración hubiera procedido del señor fiscal general del Estado, no hay absolutamente ninguna prueba..." (25:53, David Junquera, abogacía del Estado)

  • Technical details debated: email chronology, document access by potentially hundreds in legal system, the fact that some journalists received the email before the prosecuted.

  • The core question: not who leaked it, but whether García Ortiz did.

Panel Analysis: Implicaciones Institucionales y Debate Jurídico (33:13–48:38)

• Mariola Urrea: Emphasizes the process is legally "anomalous," driven largely by non-legal factors. The debate is now about the Tribunal Supremo's reputation, not the individual’s guilt.

  • Quote: "Este proceso penal está plagado de circunstancias que lo convierten en un proceso penal inédito...el debate ha mutado..." (33:36, Mariola Urrea)

• Cristina Monge: The burden of proof was shifted onto the defense. The oral trial “was just a performance,” with little substantive change.

  • Raises three unsettling questions: Could the Supreme Court convict without overwhelming evidence? Is it likely the case ends in nothing after all this? What will be the political cost?

• Carlos Sánchez: Critiques the manipulation and overuse of "acusaciones populares", which deforms Spain’s criminal process and judicial ecosystem. Draws parallel with 1990s "sindicato del crimen" efforts to destabilize government.

• General panel consensus:

  • The trial should not have reached the oral stage given the lack of concrete evidence.
  • The Supreme Court’s own impartiality and credibility are now central.
  • Media and public polarization now frame the issue, making any verdict politically charged.

• Cristina Monge: "Ya se ha configurado una realidad...el deterioro está y el debate en torno a la polarización no va a cesar…" (48:38)

4. Junts, PSOE y la Amnistía: Juego Parlamentario y Futuro Político

Movimientos Clave en el Congreso (51:25–56:30)

• Despite harsh rhetoric and threats of rupture, Junts abstained on a key PP amendment about nuclear power, preventing defeat for the government—signaling their relationship with PSOE is strained, but not severed.

  • Ana Fernández Vila: "El Gobierno sabe que no van a poder contar con Junts para leyes de calado, empezando por los presupuestos... Nogueras reafirmaba sus amenazas." (52:35)
  • Cristina Monge: The vote was "más simbólica que otra cosa", with Junts careful not to align openly with PP and Vox for internal Catalan reasons.
  • Mariola Urrea: “A Junts solo lo vamos a tomar en serio en términos de ruptura...el día que anuncie que va a querer hacer a Feijóo presidente.”

Análisis del Significado de la Abstención de Junts

• All panelists agree: real rupture would mean a PP government.
• The current stance is best understood as strategic posturing, not a definitive line in the sand.

5. El PP, Vox y la Generalitat Valenciana (56:30–64:39)

• The panel covers the slow-motion negotiations between PP and Vox to name a new president in Valencia.

  • The “waiting game” is criticized as unwise, benefiting only the ultraderecha.

  • The Socialists' weakness in Valencia is noted, with leadership issues exacerbated by the party leader not being present.

  • Carlos Sánchez: "El PP no entiende el tiempo que le ha tocado vivir...cuando hay inestabilidad quien lo capitaliza es Vox." (61:02)

  • Cristina Monge: The PP “lleva un año sin entenderlo”. The main beneficiary of the current situation—despite the climate-driven tragedy of the Dana—is a climate-change-denying party.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "La confianza se recupera con la verdad." (04:34, María Chivite)
• "Él tampoco ha intentado hablar con usted... Si hablara con él, ¿qué le diría?" – "Tendría bastantes preguntas que hacerle..." (05:55, Chivite)
• "Sin presupuestos es más difícil. No es imposible, es más difícil." (08:42, Chivite)
• "La violencia, venga de donde venga, no tiene espacio en esta comunidad.” (15:10, Chivite)
• “El periodista protege a la fuente para garantizar... una información veraz. Nos ampara la Constitución.” (22:21, Ángel)
• “Este proceso penal está plagado de circunstancias que lo convierten en un proceso jurídico inédito.” (33:36, Urrea)
• “La carga de la prueba ha recaído en la defensa... una enmienda a la totalidad del derecho penal en democracia.” (36:19, Monge)
• “A Junts solo lo vamos a tomar en serio en términos de ruptura...el día que anuncie que va a querer hacer a Feijóo presidente.” (56:16, Urrea)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:10–17:46] – In-depth interview with María Chivite covering transparency, politics, China relations, budgets, and social tensions
• [18:04–32:51] – Review of the Fiscal General del Estado trial, with arguments from both prosecution and defense and post-verdict implications
• [33:13–48:38] – Panel analysis of institutional consequences, legal culture, and the mutation of public debate and trust
• [51:25–56:30] – Politics of Junts, PSOE, and the amnesty law; consequences of parliamentary maneuvering
• [56:30–64:39] – PP, Vox, and the struggle for control (and meaning) in Valencia; weakness of the opposition

Tone & Language

• The tone is analytical, sometimes critical, but always rooted in expertise and a desire for clarity, transparency, and institutional robustness.
• Panelists frequently use clear analogies and direct language, reflecting both legal and journalistic backgrounds.

Conclusion

This episode illustrates the tangle of politics, justice, and media in Spain today:

• Judicial processes are increasingly politicized and scrutinized, with spill-over effects into public trust and political maneuvering.
• Parliamentary gamesmanship, especially involving Junts and PSOE, continues to dominate legislative risk calculations.
• The right-wing coalition dynamics (PP/Vox) in regions like Valencia are emblematic of broader national instability and challenges for both major parties and their rivals.

A must-listen for those wishing to understand not just the facts, but the deeper institutional and cultural shifts at play in contemporary Spanish democracy.