Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy — La mirada | Ignacio Peyró: "La fobia más rara de este mundo"

Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest/Commentator: Ignacio Peyró
Date: October 31, 2025
Episode Focus: A reflection on the peculiar aversion to provincial constituencies and the implications for political representation in Spain.

Overview

In this concise yet insightful instalment of the segment "La mirada," Ignacio Peyró shares his thoughts on the structure of electoral constituencies in Spain. He explores the limitations of the current provincial system and nostalgically considers how smaller constituencies could foster closer connections between citizens and their representatives. Peyró also comments on issues of media attention and regional visibility, particularly in relation to Extremadura.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unusual Aversion to Provincial Districts

• Peyró humorously introduces his "fobia":
  "Esto de detestar las circunscripciones provinciales debe de ser de los odios más extraños de este mundo."
  (00:08)
  • He frames his critique as a rare kind of dislike—questioning the logic and utility of the current electoral divisions.

2. The Benefits of Smaller Constituencies

• Historical context and international comparison:
  Peyró reflects on past systems in Spain and current practices in the UK, where districts are smaller than provinces.
• Personalized representation:
  "Así, no eras diputado por Ávila, sino quizá por el valle del Tiétar [...] por León o por Madrid, sino por, qué sé yo, Bierzo Sur o el corredor de Lenares."
  (00:26)
  • The smaller units meant citizens knew their representative personally, and representatives felt direct accountability.
• Direct voter-politician relationships:
  "Todo el mundo sabía el nombre de su diputado, todo el mundo sabía a quién acudir, a quién pedir, a quién apretar. Y el diputado sabía exactamente quién se debía."
  (00:45)

3. Critique of Anonymity in the Current System

• Loss of direct connection:
  Peyró challenges listeners to name their local deputies:
  "Le preguntaré a un valenciano que me diga cómo se llama el diputado número 14 elegido por Valencia."
  (01:05)
  • Emphasizes how the sense of personal linkage has been lost with the scale of current districts.
• Potential for reinforced representation of overlooked regions:
  He suggests smaller districts could enhance presence and political weight of areas outside Madrid and Barcelona.

4. Media Attention and Regional Visibility

• Extremadura as a case in point:
  "Por este mismo motivo estoy encantado de que ahora Extremadura esté abriendo periódicos, porque va a detonar un nuevo ciclo electoral."
  (01:25)
  • Celebrates when lesser-covered regions become central to political news—breaking the usual focus on crises (fires, floods).
• Tiredness of disaster-driven coverage:
  "Estoy un poco harto de que algunos lugares solo sean noticia si se queman o se inundan."
  (01:36)

5. Closing Remarks

• Peyró signs off wishing listeners a good Friday and underlines the importance of paying attention to the peripheries, not just the metropolitan centres.

Notable Quotes

• On rare dislikes:
  "Detestar las circunscripciones provinciales debe de ser de los odios más extraños de este mundo." — Ignacio Peyró (00:08)
• On personalized politics:
  "Todo el mundo sabía el nombre de su diputado, todo el mundo sabía a quién acudir, a quién pedir, a quién apretar." — Ignacio Peyró (00:45)
• On regional media focus:
  "Estoy encantado de que ahora Extremadura esté abriendo periódicos, porque va a detonar un nuevo ciclo electoral." — Ignacio Peyró (01:25)
• On disaster coverage:
  "Estoy un poco harto de que algunos lugares solo sean noticia si se queman o se inundan." — Ignacio Peyró (01:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08 — Opening remarks and introduction of the “fobia”
• 00:26 — Examples of smaller constituency-based representation
• 00:45 — Advantages of closer voter-representative ties
• 01:05 — Critique of current system’s anonymity
• 01:25 — Discussion of Extremadura and media cycles
• 01:36 — Frustration with disaster-centered regional coverage

Tone and Style

Ignacio Peyró delivers his perspective with a blend of wry wit and deep civic reflection, balancing nostalgia for earlier, more personal political systems with pragmatic observations about Spain’s current electoral reality. His critique is thoughtful yet accessible, inviting listeners to reconsider the structures that shape their representation and news attention.