Podcast Summary: "Las 8 de Hoy por Hoy | El Gobierno se queda encerrado entre la condena del fiscal general y la previsible derrota parlamentaria"

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)
Host: Àngels Barceló
Date: November 24, 2025

Overview

This episode focuses on a turbulent week for the Spanish government following the conviction of the Attorney General, Álvaro García Ortiz, and ahead of an anticipated parliamentary defeat regarding the fiscal path—a key step before passing the budget. The discussion explores the political consequences, reactions within and around government, updates on several judicial cases, and major international developments, including Ukraine peace negotiations and Venezuelan tensions.

Major Segments & Key Insights

1. Crisis Around the Attorney General’s Conviction (00:11–03:26)

• Backdrop: The week starts overshadowed by the judicial conviction of Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz, raising questions about his resignation and the government's next steps.

• Government’s Position: The executive branch, led by President Sánchez, vigorously defends García Ortiz’s innocence and predicts the matter will eventually reach the Constitutional Court.

• Succession Process: The government is quietly identifying a progressive and reputable successor but stresses respect for García Ortiz’s own timing regarding resignation or awaiting the Supreme Court’s final decision.

• Public Response: Protests erupted outside the Supreme Court, with both García Ortiz's predecessor Dolores Delgado and former judge Baltasar Garzón present in solidarity, highlighting a groundswell of public frustration with the justice system.

  Notable Quote:

  • “Creo en la inocencia del fiscal general del Estado… los testimonios de periodistas acreditados han manifestado claramente que no era el origen de las supuestas filtraciones.”
    — Political Commentator (01:08)

2. Looming Parliamentary Defeat and Budget Challenges (03:26–04:49)

• Fiscal Path Vote: The government is expected to lose the upcoming vote on the fiscal path with Junts planning to block it, signaling severe budget approval troubles.

• Coalition Friction: Skepticism and warnings multiply among coalition partners. The PNV suggests early elections; Podemos, Sumar, Esquerra, and Bildu express dissatisfaction—especially over housing policies.

• Government’s Response: Moncloa’s mantra is to “resist,” emphasizing that the legislature remains viable as no coalition party supports a no-confidence motion, but there’s acknowledgement that tensions will rise as elections approach.

  Notable Quote:

  • “El escepticismo y los avisos se multiplican entre los socios y contradicen ese relato de estabilidad… la consigna en Moncloa es resistir…”
    — Political Correspondent (03:51)

3. Judicial Cases: Ábalos and Pujol (05:02–07:41)

• José Luis Ábalos: The ex-minister faces a major hearing to decide potential pre-trial detention over serious corruption charges related to the "case Mascarillas."

• Jordi Pujol Trial: The long-awaited trial opens for the former Catalan president and his family over illicit association and fiscal crimes, though Pujol’s advanced age (95) and cognitive decline may exempt him from proceedings.

  Notable Moment:

  • “En 2014, el expresidente catalán Jordi Pujol confesaba esconder una fortuna en Andorra. Ahora él, sus siete hijos y una decena de empresarios llegan a juicio…”
    — Reporter Andrea Vilorià (06:34)

4. Valencian Politics and the Dana Inquiry (07:41–09:11)

• PP-Vox Negotiations: The Partido Popular (PP) and Vox continue talks to install a new Generalitat president in Valencia, pending Vox’s approval, amidst ongoing investigations into mismanagement during the Dana storm.
• Internal Fallout: The political pressure mounts with key PP figures due to testify, described as enduring “unos cuantos lunes de dolores.”

5. International Update: Ukraine and Venezuela (09:11–12:46)

• Ukraine Peace Talks: Unexpected momentum in Geneva—Kiev and Washington’s joint communiqué signals progress, though controversy continues over possible Ukrainian territorial concessions tied to Trump’s peace proposals.

• European Stance: President Pedro Sánchez, representing Spain at an EU summit in Angola, calls for a “just and lasting peace” and stresses the need to revise Trump’s plan.

  Notable Quote:

  • “Esa propuesta de paz tiene que ser revisada en profundidad, sobre todo para que los europeos y los ucranianos nos podamos sentir representados…”
    — Pedro Sánchez (10:57)

• Venezuela Escalation: The U.S. labels Nicolás Maduro a terrorist, suspending flights, and signals possible military action. Analyst Modesto Emilio Guerrero suggests negotiations are more likely than war, as regional implications escalate.

  Notable Quote:

  • “El objetivo es un cambio de régimen, no es otra cosa. Maduro está dispuesto a negociar… Trump ha declarado hace tres o cuatro días que está dispuesto a reunirse con Maduro.”
    — Culture Correspondent (12:29)

6. Labor Negotiations: Civil Servants’ Salary Increase (13:01–13:56)

• Proposed Deal: Unions meet with government to negotiate a proposed 11% salary raise by 2028 for public employees.

• Union Views: UGT and CCOO lean toward acceptance, emphasizing the need for comprehensive employment conditions, while CSIF deems the salary increase insufficient.

  Notable Quote:

  • “Estamos negociando un acuerdo que tiene una parte salarial… pero también otras cuestiones de empleo, de derechos…”
    — Political Commentator (13:39)

7. Cultural Note: Farewell to Ornella Vanoni (14:06–15:35)

• Milán Honors Singer: Tribute paid in Milan to the late Ornella Vanoni, a beloved diva of Italian music, whose life and challenges were recounted amid a massive public farewell.

  Notable Moment:

  • “Ayer domingo se formó una larga cola de 5 kilómetros en el centro de Milán de personas que deseaban desfilar ante el féretro…”
    — Culture Correspondent (14:25)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• 01:08 — “Creo en la inocencia del fiscal general del Estado…” — Political Commentator
• 03:51 — “El escepticismo y los avisos se multiplican entre los socios…” — Political Correspondent
• 06:34 — “En 2014, el expresidente catalán Jordi Pujol confesaba esconder una fortuna en Andorra…” — Reporter Andrea Vilorià
• 10:57 — “Esa propuesta de paz tiene que ser revisada en profundidad…” — Pedro Sánchez
• 12:29 — “El objetivo es un cambio de régimen, no es otra cosa. Maduro está dispuesto a negociar…” — Culture Correspondent
• 13:39 — “Estamos negociando un acuerdo que tiene una parte salarial… pero también otras cuestiones de empleo, de derechos…” — Political Commentator

Episode Flow Summary

• 00:11–03:26: Focused coverage of the fallout from the Attorney General’s conviction.
• 03:26–04:49: Shifting to budget struggles, parliamentary alliances, and coalition discord.
• 05:02–07:41: Progressing to judicial news—cases involving Ábalos and the Pujol family.
• 07:41–09:11: Analyzes developments in Valencian regional politics and ongoing investigations.
• 09:11–12:46: Explores international crises—Ukraine negotiations and Venezuela's growing isolation.
• 13:01–13:56: Tackles domestic labor negotiations for civil servants.
• 14:06–15:35: Concludes with a poignant cultural moment honoring Ornella Vanoni.

Tone and Style

Maintaining an urgent, analytical tone, this episode reflects the uncertainty and high political drama of the week, combining political, judicial, international, and cultural news with thoughtful commentary and concise, natural language.