Podcast Summary: "Pretérito pluscuamperfecto | El No a la guerra de 2003"

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)
Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló, with Ana Uslé and guests

Overview

This episode of "Hoy por Hoy" revisits Spain's massive civil mobilization against the Iraq War in 2003—an episode that shaped national identity and left an indelible mark on society. Through soundbites, personal accounts, and analysis, Àngels Barceló, Ana Uslé, Iñaki Gabilondo, Ignacio Guardans, and others reflect on how millions of Spaniards, united by the slogan "No a la guerra", rose to oppose government support for the American-led invasion. The discussion links these events to the importance of critical thinking, civic participation, and drawing lessons for today's world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Revisiting 2003: How Did "No a la guerra" Shape Us?

• Reflections on the Protest (00:50–01:55)

  • Ana Uslé introduces the decision to look back 22 years, not for an anniversary, but to understand how those days formed personal and collective character.
  • The episode frames the Iraq War protests as a key moment in modern Spanish identity.

• Bush, Blair, and Aznar: The "Coalition of the Willing" (01:38–03:28)

  • Discussion opens with George W. Bush's claims about Iraq's WMDs, echoed by UK PM Tony Blair and Spanish PM José María Aznar.
  • Iñaki Gabilondo (02:12):
    "Nosotros veníamos oyendo cómo en Estados Unidos animaban, animaban, animaban razones para invadir Irak."
  • Emphasis on the dissonance between international politics and the vast majority of Spanish society.

• Government vs Society: Political Divisions Revealed (03:07–04:08)

  • The Spanish government supports US war efforts against public opinion, leading to tension in parliament.
  • Iñaki Gabilondo recalls the Congress approving support for the war "entre risotadas, entre 'olé, olé, olé', ... me pareció un auténtico escándalo." (03:28)

The United Civil Society: "Nosotros"

• Mass Mobilization Across Sectors (04:08–04:47)

  • Unprecedented unity among pacifist groups, unions, NGOs, students.
  • Slogan "No a la guerra" appears everywhere, from banners to stickers.
  • CIS poll: up to 90% of Spain's population opposed military intervention. (04:37)
  • Ignacio Guardans and Ángel repeat the iconic chant:
    "No a la guerra. No a la guerra." (04:44–04:47)

• Cultural and Media Impact (04:49–06:09)

  • The Gala de los Goya (Spanish film awards) becomes a pivotal media moment for protest.
  • Luis Pastor:
    "Tras mucho debate... concebimos una gala nada política, ... y cuál fue nuestra maravillosa sorpresa al ver que la profesión ... convirtió la gala en una noche de política democrática..." (05:10)
  • Spontaneous activism from artists and the cultural sector.
  • Pilar del Río powerfully urges, "A mí me gustaría que no me dejarais sola diciéndolo." (05:55)
    (in reference to saying "No a la guerra")

• Culture as a Vanguard (06:09–07:18)

  • Rosana Pastor recalls actors' dramatic protest in Parliament, revealing "No a la guerra" shirts.
  • "La cultura aglutinó a la ciudadanía... que estaba en contra de la barbarie." (Rosana Pastor, 07:11)

The Global Day: "Tú" y el 15 de febrero de 2003

• Personal Reminiscence and Global Perspective (07:18–08:19)

  • The largest public demonstrations in Spain's democratic history.
  • Ángel:
    "Ese día hubo marchas simultáneas en todo el mundo... más de 600 ciudades de 60 países." (07:35)
  • Ignacio Guardans:
    "Nos cuenten bien. Hay que parar esta guerra, porque la guerra es lo que no debe de existir y menos en el 2003." (07:25–07:33)
  • Huge gatherings, e.g., Madrid with over 3 million participants.
  • Referenced collective actions: general strikes, artist concerts (Vista Alegre, 27 Feb, "Cultura contra la guerra").

• Music as Protest

  • Luis Pastor introduces his protest song, written on the eve of 15 February (09:05–09:39):
    "Nos quieren comer el coco, que les demos la razón, que los malos son los otros y ellos son la salvación." (09:16)

Intellectual Leadership: José Saramago

• Reading from Saramago's Manifesto (10:14–11:48)
  • Pilar del Río recalls the Nobel laureate's emotional engagement.
  • Saramago (read by Pilar del Río):
    "Nos manifestamos por la voluntad de paz de la gente honesta y contra los caprichos belicistas de políticos a quienes les sobra en ambición lo que les va faltando en inteligencia y sensibilidad." (10:45) "La tierra pertenece a los pueblos que la habitan, no aquellos que con el pretexto de una representación democrática descaradamente pervertida... explotan, manipulan y engañan."
  • Call to ongoing civic action: "Tenemos que seguir estando en la calle reclamando paz en las conciencias y paz en las calles..." (11:30)

The Aftermath: War Breaks Out Despite Protests

• Reflection on Being Overruled (11:48–12:10)

  • Despite protests, Spain's government persists; the war begins 20 March 2003.

• Parliamentary Insight: Ignacio Guardans Remembers (12:10–16:46)

  • Guardans, then an active MP, describes the tensions, rigorous documentation, and his efforts to debunk government misinformation ("los tubos de aluminio," 13:16).
  • On Congress's attitude:
    "Con una sensación de frivolidad que a mí me indignó... ¿de qué se ríen?" (14:29)
  • Blame on Aznar’s arrogance:
    "Su tono de arrogancia... de comprarle todas las mentiras, de repetir con un seguidismo total lo que decía Estados Unidos..." (16:02)
  • On unity and contrast to today: "En ese momento tenías un 90 y un 92% de los ciudadanos en contra de la guerra... ahora mismo, no hay un 91% de población en favor de nada." (16:51)

Present-Day Relevance

• Lessons for Today: Parallels with Palestine (16:51–17:39)
  • Guardans sees echoes of political disengagement, party discipline, and lack of consensus in today’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also notes deep societal fragmentation compared to 2003’s majority unity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Iñaki Gabilondo (02:12):
  "Nosotros empezábamos el día más enfadados que la media de nuestros oyentes, porque veníamos oyendo cómo Estados Unidos animaba razones para invadir Irak."

• Luis Pastor (09:16):
  "La guerra está decidida, los misiles apuntando, las bombas inteligentes están eligiendo el blanco. Nos quieren comer el coco ..."

• Pilar del Río (leyendo a Saramago) (10:45):
  "Nos manifestamos en contra del concubinato de los Estados con los superpoderes económicos ... la Tierra pertenece a los pueblos que la habitan..."

• Ignacio Guardans on Congress (14:29):
  "¿De qué se ríen? ... con una sensación de frivolidad que a mí me indignó..."

• On Aznar's legacy (16:02):
  "Su tono de arrogancia ... de comprarle todas las mentiras, ... sin mínima empatía. Eso yo creo que encendió más que otra cosa."

Important Timestamps

• 00:50–01:55 — Introduction to the episode’s theme and historical context
• 02:12–03:28 — Gabilondo on media and government responses at the time
• 03:28–04:47 — Spanish Parliament drama and public sentiment
• 05:03–06:09 — The Goya awards as a protest stage
• 06:09–07:18 — The cultural sector’s mobilization and iconic actions in Parliament
• 07:18–08:19 — The scale and global impact of the February 15, 2003 protest
• 09:05–09:39 — Luis Pastor presents the protest song "No a la guerra"
• 10:14–11:48 — Pilar del Río shares Saramago's words and reflects on lasting lessons
• 12:10–17:39 — Ignacio Guardans’s parliamentary recollections and present-day reflections

Tone and Language Notes

The episode blends documentary seriousness with emotional recollection, staying true to the voices of participants—ranging from analytical to personal, irreverent (with references to political levity), and often urgent in its moral convictions. The language is direct, sometimes poetic (Saramago), and always rooted in the Spanish cultural and social context.

Summary

"Pretérito pluscuamperfecto | El No a la guerra de 2003" is a compelling historical and civic reflection on Spain’s anti-war mobilization. Through voices of journalists, politicians, artists, and citizens, it illustrates how collective social action can challenge political consensus, leave a legacy for democracy, and offer lessons for present and future struggles for peace.