Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy | Noticias | December 9, 2025

Episode: Agotar la legislatura, ecos de la Kitchen y el antieuropeísmo de Trump
Host: SER Podcast (Àngels Barceló & team)

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode focuses on Spain's tense political landscape as the government tries to weather scandals, parliamentary weakness, and pressure to call early elections. The show dives into the fallout of corruption (notably the Salazar case), the state of political leadership, fresh data from opinion polls, international tensions—especially Trump's new antagonism toward the EU—and features key developments in health, justice, and culture. The tone is urgent and analytical, blending reporting and debate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Turmoil and Government Fragility

[00:10–15:00, recurring throughout]

• The PSOE-led government heads into the final full parliamentary session of the year without a majority and battered by corruption scandals (Ábalos, Cerdán, and new harassment accusations against Moncloa adviser Paco Salazar).
• Despite 60% of Spaniards believing President Pedro Sánchez should call early elections (DB/El País poll), most think he will resist and see out his term.
• All political leaders “suspend” in public opinion, scoring below 3.5/10. Sánchez is top at 3.34; Abascal (Vox) notably surpasses Feijóo (PP); Ayuso is the favorite among PP voters.
• Quote: “No se ha actuado o no se ha avanzado con la celeridad que desde luego era más que necesaria. Pedimos disculpas por ello y, desde luego, yo hoy lo vuelvo a hacer.”
  Pilar Alegría, government spokesperson, on Salazar response [01:22 / 14:42 / 30:42]

2. Salazar Scandal and Party Fallout

[01:22 / 14:29 / 86:44]

• The government faces internal strife over the handling of sexual harassment allegations against Salazar. Calls grow to refer the matter to prosecutors.
• The PP capitalizes, summoning Salazar before the Senate’s “Comisión Coldo” despite questionable jurisdiction—a move seen as political theatre.
• The PSOE admits slow response; Alegría apologizes again and stresses a complete investigation.
• Analyses note the risk for PSOE among female voters, crucial to past victories, and reflect on the gravity of organizational culture revealed by the case.
• Quote: “Un caso de encubrimiento, de complicidad de Pedro Sánchez con el delito, pero en esta ocasión de acoso sexual. ¿Por qué hace esto Pedro Sánchez? Porque Paco Salazar sabe demasiado.”
  Alicia García, PP spokesperson in the Senate [14:33 / 87:03]

3. Barometer Results: Political Leadership Crisis

[10:11 / 29:26 / 95:34]

• The poll reveals low trust and approval for all party leaders. Among PP voters, Díaz Ayuso (7.9/10) outshines Feijóo (7.1), marking a challenge to the national party leadership.
• On the left, Sánchez is the clear favorite among PSOE voters; for the wider public, García Page stands out, mainly boosted by right-wing voters.
• The roundtable discusses the implications: rise of polarization, charismatic vs. programmatic leadership, and a rightward shift among young voters.
• Quote: “Tenemos que ir a elecciones… con otros candidatos.”
  Lourdes Pérez, analyst, reflecting on systemic leadership fatigue [103:16]

4. Madrid Health Crisis and Residencies Scandal

[15:36 / 16:33 / 133:10]

• The investigation into COVID-era “protocolos de la vergüenza” resumes: three ex-officials from Ayuso’s Madrid government are set to testify over decisions that allegedly led to thousands of nursing home deaths.
• Simultaneously, the private management of Torrejón Hospital faces outrage after leaked audios show the CEO suggesting profits should dictate patient care, sparking calls for greater transparency and a filed PSOE complaint.
• The roundtable emphasizes the risk of prioritizing profit over public service—drawing a distinction between necessary public-private collaboration and predatory privatization.
• Quote: “La gente no somos rentables o no se nos puede calificar en esos términos.”
  Lourdes Pérez, on healthcare management [137:50]

5. International Tension: Trump vs Europe

[04:05 / 19:16 / 31:32 / 45:05 / 90:16]

• Donald Trump, intensifying his anti-European rhetoric, criticizes the EU’s migration policy and fines against companies like Musk’s X (Twitter), and openly promotes support for ultranationalist parties.
• European Council President António Costa rebukes US interference: “Los aliados no interfieren en la vida política de sus socios, sino que respetan su soberanía.”
• The EU, amid internal division, advances controversial policies (external asylum centers, stricter quotas) over the objections of Spain, France, and Portugal.
• Ukraine peace prospects become entangled in these transatlantic rifts.
• Quote: “Europa tiene que tener mucho cuidado. Va en mala dirección y eso es muy malo para su gente.”
  Donald Trump [04:29 / 31:43 / 91:00]
  “No podemos permitir esta interferencia…”
  António Costa, Council President [90:45]

6. Operation Kitchen: New Evidence Ignored?

[84:14 / 148:06]

• New claim: the Audiencia Nacional may have ignored key police audio implicating former PP secretary-general María Dolores de Cospedal in efforts to sabotage the investigation of PP finances (the 'Kitchen' affair).
• PSOE, as a civil party, denounces alleged judicial concealment and calls for new indictments.
• Quote: "Laminar al cabrón del cabrón..."
  Villarejo in published audio, referencing Bárcenas’s lawyer, allegedly with Cospedal’s assent [151:40]

7. Climate: Record Highs, Low Hope

[27:23]

• Copernicus data confirms 2025 will be the second-hottest year ever, affecting “las neveras del planeta” (Canada, Russia, Antártida, Artico). Only rain in Spain’s south offers minor relief.
• Quote: “Copérnicus lleva tres años detectando temperaturas notablemente superiores a la media… El planeta ha estado otro mes más 1,54 por encima del nivel preindustrial.”

8. Media Wars: The Fight for Warner Bros.

[26:15 / 63:09 / 67:02]

• Paramount launches a $108B hostile takeover of Warner Bros, outbidding Netflix in an unprecedented corporate power play. Political proximity (Paramount/Trump) and regulatory certainty are selling points.
• Hollywood fears Netflix's control could disrupt cinema’s theatrical model.
• Quote: “La batalla ha empezado y veremos al final, en pocas semanas, quién la gana.”
  Jordi Fábrega, on the big media war [63:44]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Minister Pilar Alegría: “Pedimos disculpas por no haber actuado con celeridad...” [01:22, 14:42, 30:42]
• Alicia García (PP): “¿Qué ha hecho Pedro Sánchez? Callar, proteger y mirar hacia otro lado.” [02:15; 14:33]
• Carmen Ruiz (Families’ Association): “Es una necesidad de que se sepa la verdad, de que se establezca quién fue el responsable…” [02:55; 15:36; 146:18]
• António Costa: “Los aliados no pueden interferir en la vida política… deben respetar su soberanía.” [04:52 / 90:45 / 46:10]
• Trump: “Europa tiene que tener mucho cuidado…” [31:43 / 45:36 / 91:00]
• Lourdes Pérez: “Tenemos que ir a elecciones… con otros candidatos.” [103:16]
• Villarejo audio: “Laminar al cabrón del cabrón…” [151:40]
• Luis García Montero (final reflection): “El mundo al revés... monjas ladronas, policías mafiosos, socialistas machistas y hospitales que desatienden a sus enfermos obligados por la autoridad a pensar en las cuentas de resultados.” [76:54]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Salazar Case, Apologies & Political Fallout: 01:22 / 14:42 / 30:42 / 86:44
• Poll on Political Leaders & Analysis: 10:11 / 29:26 / 95:34
• Madrid's Healthcare & Residencies Scandal: 15:36 / 16:33 / 133:10 / 145:58
• Operation Kitchen Revelations: 84:14 / 148:06
• International: Trump vs Europe, EU migration: 04:05 / 19:16 / 31:32 / 45:05 / 90:16
• Climate Record: 27:23
• Media Corporate Battle (Warner/Paramount/Netflix): 26:15 / 63:09 / 67:02
• Luis García Montero's final reflection: 76:24

Tone & Language

• Analytical and incisive, with moments of irony, especially during roundtable analysis.
• Emphasis on public accountability, institutional transparency, and ethical concern.
• At times, urgency and even exasperation surface—especially on political inertia, corruption, and social injustice.

Useful for Listeners Who Haven't Heard the Episode

This summary provides a road map to the entire episode: from the government's embattled end-of-year posture, to the explosive corruption scandals and their gendered impact, to media, judicial and parliamentary battles over transparency and democratic health, and the broader backdrop of European and global challenge (Trump’s hostility, climate warning, and international realignments).
Key tapes, recurring apologies, poll data, and internal party dilemmas receive ample attention.
Listeners receive context for each headline—not just news, but the meaning as commented and debated by leading Spanish journalists and intellectuals.