Podcast Summary: Las 8 de Hoy por Hoy | El PSOE se queda a un punto del PP

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)
Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guests/Reporters: Guillermo Lerma, Sergio Soto, David Junquera, Pablo Morán, Mariola Lourido, Elena Carazo, Joan Tur, Luciérna, Sara Canals

Overview

This episode focuses on the extremely narrow gap between Spain's main political parties—the PSOE and the PP—based on the latest 40dB barometer for Cadena SER and El País. It also addresses the political implications of this shift, the continued rise of Vox, the situation in Gaza, ongoing domestic scandals, significant health system failures, and updates from France and the US. The episode faithfully maintains the serious, factual tone of "Hoy por Hoy", giving listeners critical insight into Spain and the world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Barometer: Tight Race Between PSOE and PP

• Main Finding: The PSOE is now only one percentage point behind the PP—the closest margin since July 2023 elections.
  • PP: 30.5%
  • PSOE: 29.4%
  • Vox: Near 17%
• Significance: Despite the PSOE’s gains, the right-wing bloc (PP & Vox) retains a strong advantage over the left.
• Quotable Insight:
  • “El Partido Socialista se queda a un punto del Partido Popular en la menor distancia entre ellos desde las elecciones de julio de 2023.” – Àngels Barceló [00:08]
• Cause of Changes:
  • Vox's rise eats into the PP’s support, particularly among those aged 18–44.
  • The right’s lead over the left is enabled by an increasingly strong far-right.
• Block Totals:
  • PP+Vox: Over 47%
  • PSOE+Sumar+Podemos: Under 39%
  • “Muy lejos, por tanto, de poder armar una mayoría suficiente para gobernar.” – Guillermo Lerma [01:13]

Notable Quotes

• “Vox se consolida como la primera fuerza entre los que tienen entre 18 y 44 años.” – Àngels Barceló [00:44]
• “Los populares han perdido en tres meses esa ventaja de más de seis puntos de la que disfrutaban antes del verano.” – Guillermo Lerma [01:33]

Timestamps

• Political barometer summary: [00:04]–[02:16]

2. Potential Early Elections in PP Regions

• Context: Ongoing crises (e.g., wildfires, budget setbacks, healthcare scandals) raise doubts about PP governance; internal debate about possible early elections.
• Strategy: Some PP regions may call elections to frame Vox as responsible for instability or to bundle them into a “super Sunday” national plebiscite in March.
  • “Agrupar comicios en marzo y convertir esas citas autonómicas en un plebiscito nacional...” – David Junquera [03:21]
  • Andalusia will only advance elections if Sánchez does first.
• Timestamps: [02:17]–[04:01]

3. Spanish Public Opinion on Gaza

• Survey Findings:
  • 56.7% call the situation in Gaza a genocide or war crime.
  • 57% favor the two-state solution.
  • Opinions are highly polarized by party affiliation: 80%+ of PSOE/Sumar voters see genocide, vs. 34% (PP) and 30% (Vox).
  • 60% disapprove of PP and Vox’s stance on Gaza.
  • “Casi el 60% de los encuestados... rechaza la actitud de estos dos partidos ante la masacre.” – Sergio Soto [04:24]
• Timestamps: [04:01]–[04:40]

4. Return of Spanish Activists from Gaza

• Account of Abuse: 21 activists from the Freedom Flotilla recount physical and psychological abuse by Israeli police.
• Dramatic Testimony:
  • “Nos trataban como si fuéramos menos que seres humanos, menos que animales.” – Activist [04:46]
  • “La respuesta [a pedir insulina para presos] fue ‘no hay doctores para animales como vosotros.’” – Carlos de Barrón [05:15]
• Further Context: Ongoing indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, with US mediation under Trump.
  • “Trump... quiere resultados esta semana.” – Pablo Morán [05:52]
• Timestamps: [04:40]–[07:15]

5. National Political Scandals & Corruption Allegations

• Begoña Gómez & Associates: Summoned regarding possible future jury trial over corruption, malfeasance charges.
• PP Offensive: Seizing on new reports of cash payments (Ábalos), claims possible irregular financing in the PSOE.
• Counterpoints: No conclusive evidence of parallel accounting; PSOE claims payments were upfront expenses, not party financing.
  • “Todavía no hemos visto ni un resguardo ni un ticket...” – Carmen Fú [07:52]
  • “Si hablamos de sobres, yo creo que los sobres están perfectamente unidos al Partido Popular y a otras épocas.” – Interviewee [08:26]
• Timestamps: [07:19]–[08:35]

6. Healthcare System Failings: Cancer Screening Delays

• Madrid: Policy of free choice of health center pushes patients to private providers; Quirón and Ribera Salud concentrate 60% of new requests.
• Case Study: Ángela, a patient, suffered nearly six months’ delay for a diagnostic mammogram in Madrid, ultimately paying out of pocket and being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.
  • “Indignada porque soy consciente del privilegio que es poder pagarte 200 euros para una prueba diagnóstica, porque si no los tienes, quizá cuando llegue el diagnóstico sea demasiado tarde.” – Ángela [09:51]
• Andalusia: Ongoing crisis; survivor groups considering collective legal action, demanding accountability from the regional government.
• Timestamps: [08:35]–[11:21]

7. Incidents of Gender-Based Violence

• Multiple Cases: Stabbings in Madrid and Zaragoza; Formentera murder case under investigation.
• Authorities: Investigations ongoing, with focus on potential gender violence motivations.
• Timestamps: [11:21]–[12:47]

8. France: Government Formation and Political Crisis

• Prime Minister Sebastien Le Cornu forms a government but faces criticism for lack of real change—continuity with Baygroux’s administration.
  • “Un government que nace muerto... hace pensar en una crisis de régimen.” – Luciérna [13:43]
• Possible End of the Fifth Republic noted by commentators.
• Timestamps: [12:47]–[14:10]

9. US: Trump Orders National Guard Into Democratic Cities

• Action: Deployment in Chicago and attempted deployment in Portland, opposed by local officials.
  • “Asegura que... sus agentes migratorios fomentan el caos persiguiendo a las personas de color y blancas.” – Sara Canals [14:41]
• Federal Tensions: Portland deployment blocked by a federal judge, with concerns raised over blurring of federal and military power.
• Timestamps: [14:10]–[15:20]

Notable Quotes

• “El Partido Socialista se queda a un punto del Partido Popular en la menor distancia entre ellos desde las elecciones de julio de 2023.” – Àngels Barceló [00:08]
• “Vox se consolida como la primera fuerza entre los que tienen entre 18 y 44 años.” – Àngels Barceló [00:44]
• “Muy lejos, por tanto, de poder armar una mayoría suficiente para gobernar.” – Guillermo Lerma [01:13]
• “La respuesta fue ‘no hay doctores para animales como vosotros.’” – Carlos de Barrón [05:15]
• “Indignada porque soy consciente del privilegio que es poder pagarte 200 euros para una prueba diagnóstica, porque si no los tienes, quizá cuando llegue el diagnóstico sea demasiado tarde.” – Ángela [09:51]
• “Un government que nace muerto... hace pensar en una crisis de régimen.” – Luciérna [13:43]

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive and nuanced look at the shifting Spanish political landscape, with a focus on the tightening race between PSOE and PP—and the role of Vox in that dynamic. It provides firsthand accounts of international crises, exposes systemic failings in healthcare, and tracks the domestic impact of scandals and violence. The reporting balances the numbers with deeply human stories and the political with the personal, maintaining the authoritative and accessible style characteristic of SER’s “Hoy por Hoy.”