Podcast Summary: Las 8 de Hoy por Hoy | Llegó la hora de la verdad para Ábalos y Koldo

Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló
Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)

Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive update on several major political and judicial developments in Spain, focusing above all on the pivotal judicial hearing for ex-minister José Luis Ábalos and his collaborator Koldo García. The discussion delves into the political fallout this could create for the PSOE, analyzes internal party reactions, and connects these events with ongoing parliamentary tensions, judicial controversies, new revelations from major cases, and notable moments in Spanish public life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Judicial Decision for Ábalos and Koldo: Imminent Consequences

• Host Opening:
  Àngels Barceló sets the stage with the gravity of the day for José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García, facing potential imprisonment based on the prosecution's severe requests (24 and nearly 20 years respectively).
  — “Ha llegado la hora de la verdad para José Luis Ábalos y para Koldo García, quienes La Fiscalía pide 24 y casi 20 años de prisión y que hoy mismo comparecen para que el juez decida si les envía a la cárcel.” (00:11)

• Miguel Ángel Campos' Update:

  • Ábalos fears being sent to jail and accuses the prosecution of attempting to intimidate him into confessing. He claims to have always cooperated with justice, rejects risk of flight, asserts his innocence, and laments not having full access to the case file about the “mascarillas” scandal.
  • Koldo, similarly, claims procedural nullity and a lack of defense guarantees.
  • Prosecutors may demand immediate imprisonment or release on high bail, which the accused say is unaffordable.
  • The situation is politically explosive for PSOE as it faces potential parliamentary defeats. — “Se me pretende intimidar para que confiese, dice Ábalos… Insiste en su inocencia y denuncia indefensión…” (01:27–02:20)

2. PSOE in Crisis: Strategic Shifts and Internal Turmoil

• Ábalos' Radical Change of Strategy:
  The ex-minister, under pressure, begins lashing out at the government. He publicly questions the narrative regarding a secret deal between Pedro Sánchez and Arnaldo Otegui (previously denied by all parties), contradicting his own prior statements. — “Ayer, sin embargo, el ex ministro tuiteó ‘solo puedo decir lo que me contaron fuentes presenciales. Y es que esa entrevista existió.’” (02:57–03:26)

• Socialist Reaction:
  Ana Fernández Vila relays internal dismay and distrust, with the PSOE officially downplaying the impact but privately expressing confusion and suspicion over Ábalos’ behavior. — “En el PSOE se resisten a interpretar a Ábalos, aunque algunas fuentes sí achan su comportamiento. A que está trastornado y nervioso, dicen, por su posible entrada en prisión.” (04:00–04:35)

  • Minister Montero on Ábalos:

    “Me extrañaría de él ahora estuviera instalado en la mentira y en intentar algún comportamiento que habitualmente no lo hemos visto en la persona del Sr. Ábalos.” (03:51)

3. Parliamentary Hotspots: Budget Impasse and PP–Vox Dynamics

• Budget Deadlock and Strategic Voting:
  The vote on the government’s deficit path is pivotal but likely to fail, with support from the right and abstentions from key parties. — “Todo apunta a que el Gobierno no va a ser capaz de aprobar. De hecho, el Ejecutivo asume ya que hoy tendrá esa derrota…” (04:56)

• PP–Vox Relations in Valencia:
  The investiture of Pérez Llorca is a display of PP and Vox aligning in the Valencian parliament, with Vox holding significant negotiating power. — “Vox dice que escuchará el discurso de investidura y que si Pérez Llorca incorpora lo que el partido de Abascal le ha ido pidiendo le acabarán dando su apoyo.” (05:08–05:26)

  • PP’s perspective:

    “Mientras el Partido Socialista está a las puertas de la tercera Guerra Mundial. Si Ábalos va a la cárcel…” (05:33)

4. Ongoing Institutional and Judicial Investigations

• PSOE Cash Payments Scrutiny:
  The National Court seeks thorough investigation of PSOE's cash transactions between 2017 and 2024, signaling broader probes linked to Ábalos and Koldo. (02:30)

• Scandals in Almería:
  Involvement of local politicians in possible corruption: seizure of cash, documents, and arms, revealing a systemic mechanism for fraudulent contract awards. — “En concreto, la UCO localizó 7.260 euros en el domicilio de la hermana de Javier García… resultado especialmente llamativo para la Guardia Civil el hallazgo de armas.” (07:28–08:27)

• Begoña Gómez Case:
  Judge Peinado removes Manos Limpias as complainant for non-payment of required deposit, highlighting politicization and procedural oddities in the case. — “El juez ha echado del caso a Manos Limpias… el abogado de este pseudosindicato lo ha dejado porque se ha dado cuenta ahora de que Manos Limpias usa este caso con fines políticos.” (08:32)

5. Supreme Court and Judicial Tensions

• Allegations of Bias in Supreme Court:
  It's revealed that one of the judges condemning the Attorney General, Antonio del Moral, co-directed the thesis of the defense lawyer for Ayuso’s partner. The lack of transparency in the sentence is questioned by political actors.
  • Patxi López (PSOE):

    “Cuando una noticia llama tanto la atención y genera tantas sospechas, lo que se necesita es una explicación.” (09:56)

6. Noteworthy Moments and Human Stories

• King Juan Carlos’ French Interview:
  The former King, promoting his new book from Abu Dhabi, unapologetically claims he regrets nothing, hopes Spaniards understand his actions and admits he neglected his family.

  • Key quote (in French):

    "Mais vous avez des regrets? Non. Et des remords? Non. Je tâche de ne pas les avoir. Si c’était à refaire, vous feriez plus attention? Oui, naturellement." (11:33)
    ("Any regrets? No. Remorse? No. I try not to have them. If you could do it over, would you be more careful? Yes, naturally.")

• Public Outcry in Andalusia:
  During a parliamentary session on public health, an affected woman, Anabel, accuses the regional president:
  — “Me has arruinado, Juanma, y te voté, le dice. Me has arruinado la vida. Estoy muerta en vida. Dame la cara, le dijo.” (13:18–14:00)

• Civil Servant Salary Deal:
  Agreement for an 11% salary increase by 2028 between government and key unions, with detailed annual breakdowns.

  • Francisco Lama (CSIF):

    “Con la firma de este acuerdo se van a impulsar medidas en promoción interna en materias de igualdad, como la aplicación de las 35 horas y como el teletrabajo.” (14:50)

• International & Miscellaneous News:

  • Tragic Hong Kong fire: 55 dead, hundreds injured, demolition negligence at play. (15:14)
  • Venezuela pulls airline flight permissions, linked to tensions with the U.S. (12:59)
  • Donald Trump accuses Biden over security failures after a violent incident in Washington. (12:26)

• Premios Ondas Award Speech:
  Emotional closing with Gem Manía’s inclusive vision for future prizewinners:

  “Hoy los que recogemos los premios nos llamamos Toni, Mónica… Yo tengo un sueño que en los Ondas de dentro de un tiempo los premiados se llamen Ousmane, Salma, Mohamed. Porque eso querrá decir que los que hoy quieren expulsarlos no han ganado.” (15:42)

Timestamps for Reference

• Ábalos and Koldo facing jail: 00:11 – 02:29
• PSOE reaction & party turbulence: 02:49 – 04:36
• Budget crisis and parliamentary dynamics: 04:36 – 05:27
• PP–Vox in Valencia: 05:27 – 06:32
• Almería corruption story: 07:12 – 08:26
• Begoña Gómez case update: 08:26 – 08:50
• Supreme Court controversies: 09:01 – 10:12
• King Juan Carlos interview: 11:10 – 12:17
• Public protest in Andalusian parliament: 13:18 – 14:00
• Civil servant wage deal: 14:00 – 14:59
• Premios Ondas speech: 15:42 – end

Notable Quotes

• “Se me pretende intimidar para que confiese, dice Ábalos… Insiste en su inocencia y denuncia indefensión…” – Miguel Ángel Campos (01:27–02:20)
• “Me extrañaría de él ahora estuviera instalado en la mentira y en intentar algún comportamiento que habitualmente no lo hemos visto en la persona del Sr. Ábalos.” – Montero (PSOE) (03:51)
• “Cuando una noticia llama tanto la atención y genera tantas sospechas, lo que se necesita es una explicación.” – Patxi López (PSOE) (09:56)
• "Mais vous avez des regrets? Non… Si c'était à refaire, vous feriez plus attention? Oui, naturellement." – King Juan Carlos (11:33)
• “Me has arruinado, Juanma, y te voté (…) Estoy muerta en vida. Dame la cara.” – Anabel (13:18–14:00)
• “Hoy los que recogemos los premios… tengo un sueño que en los Ondas… se llamen Ousmane, Salma, Mohamed. Porque eso querrá decir que los que hoy quieren expulsarlos no han ganado.” – Gem Manía (15:42)

Tone & Structure

The episode is brisk, incisive, and at times charged with tension and urgency, reflecting Spain’s complex judicial and political moment. Reporters offer factual breakdowns laced with commentary and human interest, while expert guests and direct quotes provide depth and authenticity.

This summary covers all essential news and conversations from the episode, giving uninitiated readers a thorough understanding of the current Spanish news landscape and its political and judicial flashpoints.