Podcast Summary: "Las 7 de Hoy por Hoy | Comienza la campaña electoral en Extremadura que inaugura un nuevo ciclo electoral"

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló & Team
Featured contributors: Isabel Fernández Pedrote, Javier Ruiz Martínez, Pepa Blanés, Sira Valdés, Mónica Farré, among others.

Overview of the Episode

This episode delivers a snapshot of Spain’s political landscape as Extremadura kicks off its regional electoral campaign, a prelude to a significant new electoral cycle. The presenters dissect key party strategies, scandals rocking the PSOE, urgent matters in public health and safety, legislative updates, and a lively cultural segment—all infused with the incisive, critical tone that defines "Hoy por Hoy".

Key Discussion Points

1. Extremadura's Electoral Campaign: The Beginning of a New Cycle

Timestamps: 00:11–02:40

• The campaign began at midnight, with the Partido Popular (PP) hopeful for a pivotal win and the end of "sanchismo" (Sánchez's era) ([00:11]).
  • Javier Ruiz Martínez: “Extremadura va a marcar el camino. Estoy convencido que Extremadura es el inicio del final del sanchismo y por eso estas elecciones valen por dos.” [00:27]
• PP's María Guardiola leads in polls but seeks to avoid dependence on Vox ([00:39]).
• Isabela Fernández Pedrote reports that the PP criticizes both the Socialists and Vox, accusing them of a forced alliance ([00:48]).
• Socialist candidate Miguel Ángel Gallardo is embroiled in a corruption scandal; Pedro Sánchez avoided addressing these issues during his visit to Plasencia for the campaign's opening ([01:00]).
  • Óscar Puente (PSOE): “La izquierda ni pide perdón ni pide permiso para gobernar. Y es lo que vamos a hacer hasta 2027 y es lo que vamos a seguir haciendo después de 2027 volviendo a ganar las elecciones en España.” [01:26]
• Vox’s Santiago Abascal also returns to Extremadura, underlining national attention to the region ([01:50]).

2. PSOE Under Fire: Scandals and Internal Tension

Timestamps: 02:40–04:41

• Voices within the PSOE push for the "Caso Salazar" (sexual harassment allegations against Paco Salazar) to be brought before the Fiscalía, feeling internal actions have been insufficient ([02:40]).
  • Andrea Fernández (Igualdad PSOE): “Sigo a la espera de recibir explicaciones convincentes o me encuentro disgustada y muy dolida.” [03:04]
  • Pilar Bernabé (Igualdad Secretary, PSOE): “No es una cuestión ni que me competa a mí... vamos a esperar, tal y como pone el protocolo, a que sea la comisión la que resuelva.” [03:18]
• Public and opposition criticism intensifies, with PP's Feijóo calling PSOE “un partido peligroso para las mujeres” ([03:35]).
• Further scandal emerges: party leadership allegedly ignored sexual harassment complaints about Antonio Navarro, leader in Torremolinos ([03:48]).
  • The complainant detailed hundreds of degrading WhatsApp messages and alleged in-person intimidation. The party opened a file in September, but no action taken ([04:09]).

3. Healthcare Crisis and Investigation at Torrejón Hospital

Timestamps: 04:45–06:19

• Reports surface that the privatized Torrejón de Ardoz hospital instructed re-use of single-use materials and prioritized “profitable” patients, allegedly affecting quality of care ([04:45]).
• El País provides documents backing these claims; the Ministry of Health launches investigations ([05:18]).
• Minister Mónica García urges not just investigation but a possible return to public management if infractions are found ([05:29]).

4. Animal Health: Peste Porcina Outbreak

Timestamps: 06:22–07:42

• Authorities confirm 13 cases of African Swine Fever among wild boar in a focused area; the pork sector calls for culling all wild boar and nearby pigs within 20 km to prevent spread ([06:22]).
  • Industry spokesperson: “Es muy importante, es basic sacrificar el sport de la zona de los 20 kilómetros.” [06:38]
• Central and regional governments urge maximum biosecurity in affected and adjacent areas. No farm pigs have yet tested positive ([07:02]).

5. Legislative Developments: Penal Code Hardens for Repeat Offenders

Timestamps: 07:42–08:15

• Cross-party support (PSOE, PP, Vox, PNV, Junts) for Penal Code reforms increasing penalties for repeat offenders. The reform is a key demand of Junts ([07:42]).
• Political maneuvering ensures parties do not appear directly allied by submitting coordinated but separate amendments ([07:55]).

6. Immigration Control and Local Autonomy

Timestamps: 08:15–09:19

• Dialogue on Junts' proposal to allow towns facing demographic pressures to choose whom to register (“empadronar”) as residents ([08:15]).
• Vic Mayor Albert Castells: Advocates for stricter local control to "avoid service collapses" and circumvent "effecto llamada" ([08:35])—with Vic's population up 68% in 30 years ([09:04]).

7. Testimony in PSOE Funding Scandal

Timestamps: 09:19–10:43

• Juanfran Serrano (former deputy to ex-PSOE Secretary of Organization Santos Cerdán) testifies before the Senate, claiming ignorance of alleged financial wrongdoing ([09:19]).
  • Juanfran Serrano: “Nunca. No tenía conocimiento... a su superior no le pide explicaciones, ¿Verdad?” [09:51]/[10:03]
  • He maintains party finances are "limpias, impolutas" (clean, immaculate) and expects legal vindication ([10:13]).

8. Minister Óscar Puente's Proposal: Standing Room Train Tickets

Timestamps: 10:43–11:52

• Minister of Transport Óscar Puente floats the idea of allowing train travel without a seat to optimize usage and eliminate "phantom" bookings ([10:43]).
  • Óscar Puente: “Esto es habitual en Europa también... Hay gente que puede estar dispuesta y nos puede servir, incluso llegar a la ocupación del 100%...” [11:09]
• Proposal aimed at short commutes, possibly offering cheaper fares, ignites public debate ([11:45]).

9. Regional News and Human Interest

Timestamps: 12:02–15:07

• Aragón: San Esteban de Litera celebrates New Year’s Eve early, a quirky 17-year tradition for its 600 inhabitants ([12:21]).
• Canary Islands: Discovery of ancient cedars in El Teide, possibly the oldest trees in the EU at over 1,500 years ([13:29]).
  • Javier Martín (mountaineer): “Están allá arriba porque han escapado del hacha... han sobrevivido gracias a zonas tan difíciles.” [14:11]
• Zaragoza: The city opens its first pet bakery, offering animal-friendly cakes with novel flavors for the holidays ([14:34]).

10. Cultural Segment: New Cinema Releases

Timestamps: 15:11–16:28

• Pepa Blanés introduces the drama "Valor sentimental" (dir. Joachim Trier)—a moving family story with standout performances ([15:16]).
  • Pepa Blanés: “Es uno de esos dramas que te remueve y te reconcilia con la vida.” [15:16]
• Additional recommendations:
  • “J. Kelly” (Netflix) with George Clooney as a fading star ([15:45]).
  • Spanish debut “Golpes,” a gritty historical drama, and a “modern romantic comedy with a supernatural twist,” “Eternity” ([15:59/16:17]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Extremadura es el inicio del final del sanchismo y por eso estas elecciones valen por dos.”
  —Javier Ruiz Martínez [00:27]
• “La izquierda ni pide perdón ni pide permiso para gobernar.”
  —Óscar Puente [01:26]
• “Sigo a la espera de recibir explicaciones convincentes o me encuentro disgustada y muy dolida.”
  —Andrea Fernández (PSOE) [03:04]
• “El Partido Socialista es un partido peligroso para las mujeres.”
  —Javier Ruiz Martínez, quoting Feijóo [03:35]
• “Esto es habitual en Europa también... Nos puede servir, incluso llegar a la ocupación del 100%...”
  —Óscar Puente [11:09]

Conclusion

This episode embodies the sharp, informative, and sometimes acerbic journalism that defines "Hoy por Hoy." From the detailed breakdown of Extremadura’s heated election to in-depth coverage of party scandals, healthcare crises, and cultural curiosities, listeners are given rich insight into key issues shaping Spanish society. Each segment is marked by candid analysis, direct quotes, and the engaging delivery of the show's team.