Podcast Summary: "Las 8 de Hoy por Hoy | El poder judicial se reúne para determinar si Teresa Peramato, la nueva fiscal, es apta para el cargo"

Hoy por Hoy – SER Podcast
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló

Overview

This episode of "Las 8 de Hoy por Hoy" dives deep into the significant developments regarding Spain's judicial and political landscape. The main focus is on the selection of Teresa Peramato as nominee for Fiscal General del Estado (Attorney General), amid political tension following the Supreme Court's conviction of the previous fiscal general, Álvaro García Ortiz. The podcast covers the implications within the judiciary, the political reactions, broader institutional crises, and connects these with pressing social and international news.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Crisis in the Fiscalía General del Estado

• Timeline and Political Earthquake
  • The episode opens reflecting on recent political turmoil after the Supreme Court convicted Álvaro García Ortiz, the previous Fiscal General.
  • Teresa Peramato, a seasoned prosecutor, is now the government’s choice for replacement.
• Judicial Backdrop
  • At noon, the judicial council (CGPJ) will meet to assess whether Peramato is suitable for the post. Their decision is not binding but will send a powerful signal regarding unity (0:11–0:59).
  • Broad expectation is that Peramato will receive unanimous support from both progressive and conservative council members.

2. Unanswered Questions and Political Tensions

• Supreme Court Decision, Open Doubts

  • There is a notable delay in the publication of the Supreme Court’s detailed sentence, further fueling uncertainty about the basis for García Ortiz’s conviction (1:09).
  • The appointment of Peramato comes at a time of maximum tension between the executive and judicial branches.

• Political Reactions

  • The major opposition (PP) frames the appointment as “continuista”, emphasizing the close professional ties between Peramato, Dolores Delgado, and the outgoing García Ortiz (3:08).
  • Esther Muñoz (PP) questions:
    "Lo que nos estamos preguntando los españoles hoy es si esta nueva fiscal general del Estado, si el presidente del Gobierno le pide que cometa delitos para atacar a rivales políticos, también lo va a hacer esta vez." [03:16]

• Contrast from Legal Associations

  • Fiscales associations, even those with conservative stances, urge caution and emphasize the need for unity (3:27).
  • Legal experts underline Peramato's challenge:
    "El gran reto de Peramato será coser las heridas que ha dejado año y medio de causa contra García Ortiz. Unir a la carrera para, a partir de ahí, recuperar la confianza dentro y, sobre todo, fuera de la institución." [03:51]

3. Challenges Ahead for Teresa Peramato

• Key Priorities
  • Mend institutional divisions and restore morale.
  • Oversee ongoing reforms in gender violence and sexual violence courts.
  • Address operational challenges: staffing shortages, pending appointments (including her own in the Supreme Court), and policy circulars for victim protection—a field where Peramato is already renowned (4:10–4:40).

4. Broader Political & Social Context

• Timing of Appointment and Feminist Commitment
  • The government aligns Peramato’s nomination with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, underscoring her strong feminist credentials.
  • Minister Bolaños notes:
    "25 de noviembre, es un día muy significado para que el Gobierno proponga a una persona con un compromiso feminista indiscutible..." [05:35]
• Parliamentary Forecasts & Economic Fallout
  • The government anticipates a defeat in the parliamentary vote on budgetary framework, with implications for regional financing (5:51–6:09).
  • Mention of ongoing high-profile judicial proceedings, such as the review of measures against José Luis Ábalos and Coldo García (6:20).

5. Case Spotlight: Tragedia Valenciana & Mazón Investigation

• Key Developments
  • Analysis of inconsistencies in President Carlos Mazón’s statements regarding his whereabouts during a major regional tragedy.
  • New evidence from parking receipts contradicts previous timelines (6:32–10:17).
• Notable Excerpt
  • Mazón, on failing to take calls:
    "Pues yo la de las 19:10 no sé si estaba andando y tenía el móvil en la mochila. En ese momento no le ibas a agarrar el teléfono..." [08:52]

6. Protests and University Crisis in Madrid

• Public University Mobilizations
  • Students and staff protest underfunding and criticize the regional government’s new university bill (11:08–11:41).
  • "La Complutense ha tenido que pedir un crédito de 34 millones y medio a la comunidad..."

7. Spanish Housing Crisis

• Profile of "Generation Inquilina"
  • In major cities, more tenants now fall into the 30–64 age range, reflecting unaffordability and growing inequality (11:46–13:04).
  • Many spend more than half their income on rent, and few expect to purchase or inherit property.
  • "Ya no se busca una vivienda que te guste, sino una que tú puedas pagar." [12:14]

8. Other Headlines

• Institutional Reforms and Scandals
  • Ongoing restructuring at the National Cancer Research Center following allegations of corruption (13:11–14:22).
• France v. Shein
  • French authorities seek a court-ordered suspension of Shein's operations for selling illicit items, including child-like sex dolls (14:22–15:44).
• International: Trump & Venezuela
  • Donald Trump indicates willingness to talk with Nicolás Maduro, while warning he “will do things the hard way if needed” (15:44).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the challenge for the new Fiscal General:
  "Unir a la carrera para, a partir de ahí, recuperar la confianza dentro y, sobre todo, fuera de la institución en tiempos de moral muy baja." – Legal Expert [03:51]

• PP’s Esther Muñoz on the appointment:
  "Lo que nos estamos preguntando los españoles hoy es si esta nueva fiscal general del Estado, si el presidente del Gobierno le pide que cometa delitos para atacar a rivales políticos, también lo va a hacer esta vez." [03:16]

• On housing insecurity:
  "Ya no se busca una vivienda que te guste, sino una que tú puedas pagar." – News Reporter [12:14]
  "En torno al 70% de quienes viven de alquiler no pueden comprar ni esperan heredar." – Housing Expert [12:33]

• Carlos Mazón on missed calls during tragedy:
  "No atender a una llamada de veintitantas que hice no significa estar incomunicado, como se ha dicho." [09:08]

Important Timestamps

• [00:11] – Overview of the day’s pivotal decisions in Spanish justice and politics
• [01:09] – Open questions about the Supreme Court ruling and the climate in the Fiscalía
• [03:08] – PP’s critical response to Peramato’s selection
• [03:51] – Legal experts on Peramato’s unifying challenge
• [05:35] – Government’s alignment of Peramato’s nomination with gender violence commemoration
• [06:32]–[10:17] – Investigative breakdown of the timeline controversy around the tragedy in Valencia
• [11:08] – Madrid public universities protest
• [12:05] – The generational shift and crisis in the Spanish housing market
• [13:11] – Cancer research center scandal
• [14:22] – French government’s legal offensive against Shein
• [15:44] – Trump’s remarks on Venezuela

Tone and Style

The episode keeps a brisk, analytic, and at times urgent tone. Àngels Barceló and her team balance formal reporting on high-stakes national developments with pointed political commentary and empathetic vignettes (especially around housing and education). The language is direct, vivid, and accessible, matching the show's intent to foster critical thought and deepen societal understanding.

In summary:
This episode encapsulates a turning point for Spain’s prosecutorial system, weaving together high political drama, institutional crisis, social unrest, and major international headlines to map the complexities of current Spanish society. The analysis of Teresa Peramato’s appointment serves as the central axis uniting these diverse, impactful threads.