Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – El Abierto | Una operación de desgaste y la soberbia de Mazón

Host: Àngels Barceló (SER Podcast)
Aired: November 12, 2025
Main Guests: Víctor Lapuente, Ignacio Guardans, Joan Subirats

Episode Overview

This episode of "El Abierto" focuses on two major current affairs in Spanish politics:

• The pivotal developments in the trial of the Fiscal General del Estado (Attorney General) accused of leaking sensitive information in the case involving the partner of Madrid's president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
• The political repercussions and management crisis surrounding Carlos Mazón, ex-president of the Generalitat Valenciana, following his controversial handling of the DANA emergency.

The panel features a critical, in-depth analysis of how legal processes collide with political maneuvers, media narratives, and issues of ethics and transparency in Spanish institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fiscal General del Estado on Trial

[00:25-08:30]

• Context: The attorney general is on trial, accused of leaking an email related to the tax fraud case of Ayuso's partner.
• Journalistic Testimony:
  • Multiple journalists, including Miguel Ángel Campos (SER), testified that they received the contentious email before the attorney general had access, challenging the core accusation.
  • Quote – Miguel Ángel Campos:
    “No le escribió ningún WhatsApp en ningún momento; y no le llamó por WhatsApp en ningún momento” ([03:13-03:23])
• Testimony Details:
  • Journalists emphasized secreto profesional (professional secrecy) and the complexity of tracing a leak when a document is widely circulated.
  • Quote – Ignacio Guardans (explaining the context):
    “Este juicio está poniendo en evidencia un desconocimiento total de cómo funciona el sistema penal español. La culpabilidad hay que probarla.” ([08:54-09:13])
• Legal Analysis:
  • All journalistic evidence thus far exculpates the attorney general.
  • The judicial focus is shifting more towards institutional problems: “No se puede revelar un secreto que ya es conocido.” ([09:14-11:13])

2. Political and Media Manipulation

[12:21-14:48]

• Distraction Tactics:
  • Joan Subirats argues that the trial is a deliberate distraction—an "operación de desgaste" (operation to wear down) the attorney general:

    “La gran maniobra de distracción que salió del asesor de Ayuso ha conseguido que estemos hablando de este tema y no de un claro delito fiscal de la pareja de Ayuso.” ([12:21-13:00])

  • The scandal has shifted focus away from the original fiscal offense.
• Presumption of Innocence:
  • The panel laments the erosion of the presumption of innocence as a core democratic value.

3. Justice System Critiques

[15:28-18:52]

• Slowness and Politicization:
  • Victors Lapuente notes the slow and politicized nature of the Spanish justice system:

    “Sólo el 25% de los casos en España se resuelven en el tiempo debido. La lentitud y politización son los principales problemas.” ([15:28-15:58])

• Questioning the Role of the Trial:
  • Ignacio Guardans:

    “Un juicio no está para funciones pedagógicas para la opinión pública... Este ha sido un paripé impulsado por la acción popular.” ([18:52-21:06])

  • Critique of the Colegio de Abogados for personalizing accusations rather than neutrally defending professional secrecy.

4. Corruption & Government Response

[28:17-44:43]

• Pedro Sánchez’s Parliamentary Address:
  • Sánchez recaps EU meetings and defends his integrity, but faces criticism for the slow pace of promised anti-corruption reforms. None of the 15 announced measures have yet entered into force.
  • Quote – Analysis on the reforms:
    “Lo que hemos podido constatar… Ninguna de esas 15 medidas ha entrado en vigor. El Ejecutivo tiene incluso pendiente la creación de la Agencia Estatal de Integridad Pública.” ([30:08-32:02])
• New Scandal (Leire Díez Audios):
  • Leire Díez, an alleged PSOE fixer, is caught on tape offering positions to prosecutors in exchange for information damaging to opponents.
  • Notable moment:
    "Yo soy la mano derecha de Santos Cerdán. Aunque esto le dice al fiscal, no lo verás en los papeles." ([33:59])
• Corruption Systemic Issues:
  • Panelists debate how to fight corruption:
    • Víctor Lapuente advocates for more transparency and institutional diversity over just punitive actions.
    • Ignacio Guardans insists effective controls and enforcement, not just ethical or bureaucratic mechanisms, are essential.
    • Joan Subirats highlights Spain’s lack of a transparent registry for interest groups (lobbyists) as a barrier to genuine scrutiny.
  • Quote – Subirats:
    “La transparencia ayuda mucho… si hubiera un registro de intereses, esto es un factor de transparencia que ahora no tenemos.” ([42:31-44:43])

5. The Valencia Crisis & the “Soberbia de Mazón”

[51:47-65:41]

• Carlos Mazón’s Non-Response:
  • Mazón appeared before the commission on the DANA floods, but refused to answer questions, only reading a prepared speech and blaming the central government.
  • Notable moment:
    “Yo he asumido tal nivel de responsabilidad política que he acabado renunciando… Y aquí nadie asume responsabilidades por parte del Gobierno de España.” ([53:00-53:10])
• Substitution and PP–Vox Relations:
  • Mazón’s replacement, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, is seen as a safe choice due to his close ties with Vox, but it underscores PP’s internal weakness and dependence on the far right.
  • The analysts warn of a moral and governance crisis in this “coalición permanente electoral” (permanent electoral coalition) of PP and Vox.
  • Quote – Subirats:
    “La única alternativa para esto es que haya acuerdo con Vox… la crisis ha surgido de la emergencia climática, y lo gestionas con negacionistas de esa emergencia. Es espectacular.” ([61:16-62:38])
• Panel Critique of Mazón:
  • Víctor Lapuente:
    "Mazón mantuvo ayer la soberbia… no fue a declarar, fue a acusar. No fue a responder, fue a preguntar o interrogar al Gobierno. Absolutamente fuera de lugar en todos los sentidos." ([63:22-63:58])
  • Ignacio Guardans:
    “Ayer fue un fraude de ley, lo que hizo Mazón. Mintió en la comisión de investigación y espero que se querellen también contra él.” ([64:00-64:41])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:23 | Miguel A. Campos | “No le escribió ningún WhatsApp en ningún momento…” | | 09:13 | Ignacio Guardans | “La culpabilidad hay que probarla… increíble que haya que repetirlo en 2025…” | | 12:21 | Joan Subirats | “Operación de desgaste… en vez de centrarnos en el delito fiscal, hablamos de la filtración.” | | 15:28 | Víctor Lapuente | “La lentitud y la politización son los principales problemas de la justicia española.” | | 18:52 | Ignacio Guardans | “Un juicio no está para pedagogía ciudadana… este ha sido un paripé.” | | 30:08 | Analysis | “Ninguna de las 15 medidas ha entrado en vigor…” | | 33:59 | Leire Díez (audio)| “Yo soy la mano derecha de Santos Cerdán…” | | 42:31 | Joan Subirats | “La transparencia ayuda mucho… falta un registro de intereses.” | | 53:00 | Mazón | “He asumido tal nivel de responsabilidad política que… he renunciado…” | | 61:16 | Joan Subirats | “Gestiones una crisis climática haciendo gobierno con negacionistas… espectacular” | | 63:22 | Víctor Lapuente | “Mazón mantuvo la soberbia antes de dimitir…” |

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:25-08:30] — Recap & analysis of the Fiscal General trial, testimonies, and exculpatory evidence.
• [08:54-14:48] — Critiques of the justice system, presumption of innocence, and media manipulation.
• [15:28-21:06] — Broader discussion on Spanish judicial process, role of the Colegio de Abogados.
• [28:17-46:21] — Pedro Sánchez’s parliamentary appearance, delays in anti-corruption reforms, and discussion on Leire Díez scandal.
• [51:47-65:41] — Valencia crisis, Mazón’s controversial appearance, and analysis of PP-Vox dynamics.

Tone & Language Notes

• The conversation blends explanatory, analytical, and sometimes openly critical or ironic language, matching the engaged colloquial style characteristic of top-tier Spanish radio debate.
• Panelists express frustration with institutional inefficacy, political distractions, and the corrosive effects of partisan media.

Takeaways

• The trial of the Fiscal General is unraveling as a case lacking substantive evidence, with more exculpatory than incriminating testimony.
• Media and political manipulation have successfully shifted public focus away from substantive corruption toward procedural controversy.
• Spain’s struggle with slow, politicized justice and ineffective anti-corruption reform remains a central challenge, as echoed in parliamentary debate and panel analysis.
• The transition of power in Valencia, dominated by machinations within PP and agreements with Vox, reflects a deepening crisis of governance and moral authority, personified in Mazón’s "soberbia" and unrepentant attitude.