Podcast Summary: Más de uno — “La España que madruga” (11/12/2025)

Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Date: December 11, 2025
Main Theme:
A dynamic morning panel tackles the top political news, press headlines, scandals, humor, sports, business news, and quirky takes on current events, reflecting on what it means to be “La España que madruga,” or the Spain that rises early.

Main Highlights & Structure

1. Opening: The Spirit of Early-Rising Spain

Time: 00:01–00:44

• Carlos Alsina opens with an evocation of dedicated journalists as "notaries of current events" and "the vanguard of opinion."
• The team trades jabs and sarcasm over the nature of journalism and commitment (notably David Mejía’s irony: “Para escribir más mentiras. Para vender más periódicos.”).
• The segment sets a playful yet critical tone, with recurring, witty interruptions and mock-complaints among the team.

Notable Quote:

“Son notarios de la actualidad... Su única bandera es el periodismo... Y para su divisa, la libertad.”
— Carlos Alsina (00:10–00:27)

2. “Las Siete Preguntas y Media” — Rapid-Fire Political Inquiry

Time: 01:53–02:55

• Daniel Ramírez García Mina poses sharp questions on current Spanish political headlines:
  • Potential books from jail about hydrocarbon investigations.
  • Scandals involving Vice President Montero and contract fixing in SEPI.
  • Corruption and crony hiring after arrests.
  • Sánchez’s response to systemic workplace harassment: “¿Por qué no llamarlo directamente a una hermosa tradición…?”
  • Forced resignation of José Tomé, president of Lugo council, due to abuses.
  • María Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize–related escape from Venezuela.
  • Venezuela’s fraught situation: “¿Qué os parece la arenga castrense que el tirano soltó ayer...?”

Notable Quote:

“¿Por qué no llamarlo directamente a una hermosa tradición que se observaba con indulgencia en Moncloa?”
— Daniel Ramírez García Mina (02:21)

3. Press Review: Explosions, Scandals & Metaphors

Time: 03:14–06:39

• Rosa Belmonte delivers a caustic, metaphor-laden press review:
  • Ongoing investigations into corruption (“la fontanera” and SEPI) across all major dailies.
  • The scandal likened to “fecal waters” seeping into the Socialist Party.
  • Secret sources, wiretaps, and “cloacas” (deep state) imagery.
  • “El metoo del PSOE subleva a las feministas del partido y destapa la debilidad de la ejecutiva.”
  • María Corina Machado’s clandestine exit from Venezuela, with help from U.S. and disaffected chavistas.
  • A tongue-in-cheek call for donations to “provide a roof for Alsina.”

Notable Quotes:

“Si uno acerca el periódico al váter… las tuberías revientan. …La cosa se le ha ido de las manos a la fontanera…”
— Rosa Belmonte (03:16)

“Carlos Alsina no tiene techo. Maldita sea la maldad del capital.”
— Rosa Belmonte (06:25)

4. Business Snapshot: The “Informe Emprende 2025” and Spanish SMEs

Time: 06:58–07:48

• Guest Analyst shares findings from Holded’s report:
  • 94.4% of Spanish companies have fewer than 10 employees.
  • 99% have fewer than 50.
  • SMEs account for 72% of private employment, 65% of GDP.
  • Key motivators for entrepreneurs: independence, control, family and friend support.

Notable Data Point:

“...nuestras pymes agrupan el 72% del empleo en el sector privado y el 65% del PIB.”
— Invitado experto (07:10)

5. La Hoguera de Belmonte — “Who’s Who” in the Scandals & More International Headlines

Time: 07:52–09:55

• Rosa Belmonte & David Mejía touch on:
  • Profiles of figures embroiled in the “fontanera” scandal.
  • María Corina Machado’s escape—a daughter’s emotional speech.
  • Sarkozy’s new book minimizing the far-right threat in France.
  • Shocking international stories (e.g., genetically defective sperm causing child cancer cases).
  • Vox deputy denied access to parliament in niqab (Murcia).
  • The U.S. considering social media review for travelers.
• David Mejía’s column critique: “El sanchismo sólo ha alcanzado la excelencia en esta perfecta coordinación entre periodistas y ministros y algunos fiscales…”.

Notable Quote:

“El sanchismo sólo ha alcanzado la excelencia en esta perfecta coordinación entre periodistas y ministros y algunos fiscales. Es una pena que tan fina armonía no se emplee para fines más nobles.”
— David Mejía (08:33)

6. Economy and Markets Breakdown (Professor Rodríguez Brown)

Time: 10:00–11:56

• Major business news in Spain and internationally:
  • BlackRock reducing stake in Naturgy.
  • Bank of Spain/Fed rate moves and debates.
  • Indra’s acquisition strategy.
  • Ferrovial’s billion-euro U.S. highway deal.
  • European car industry’s concerns over “Made in Europe” drive.
  • Fed delays 2% inflation target to 2028—“problem of inflation has to do with the Federal Reserve itself” (Wall Street Journal, via Brown).
  • Economic comic strip: Ábalos (imprisoned) sends a paper plane labeled “Air Ábalos” to La Moncloa.

Notable Quote:

“Aquí el problema de la inflación, concluye el Journal, tiene que ver con la propia Reserva Federal, que claramente ha fracasado…”
— Profesor Rodríguez Brown (11:32)

7. Sports: Football, Champions League & More

Time: 12:09–13:35

• Félix José Casillas recaps:
  • Spanish teams in Champions League—Villarreal eliminated, PSG held, Real Madrid’s turmoil.
  • The symbolism of “detention” threading through the sports stories.
  • Comparison to Premier League: poor run for Spanish sides except Barça.
  • Basketball: Euroleague resumes in Israel.

Notable Line:

“Labor de fontanería para demostrar que el vestuario y el técnico van en la misma dirección. Pero esta relación no esconde las irregularidades del equipo…”
— Félix José Casillas (12:59)

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Carlos Alsina (00:10):
  “Son notarios de la actualidad... Su única bandera es el periodismo... Y para su divisa, la libertad.”
• Daniel Ramírez García Mina (02:21):
  “¿Por qué no llamarlo directamente a una hermosa tradición que se observaba con indulgencia en Moncloa?”
• Rosa Belmonte (03:16):
  “Si uno acerca el periódico al váter… las tuberías revientan.”
• Rosa Belmonte (06:25):
  “Carlos Alsina no tiene techo. Maldita sea la maldad del capital.”
• David Mejía (08:33):
  “El sanchismo sólo ha alcanzado la excelencia en esta perfecta coordinación entre periodistas y ministros y algunos fiscales…”
• Profesor Rodríguez Brown (11:32):
  “El problema de la inflación… tiene que ver con la propia Reserva Federal, que claramente ha fracasado…”

Tone & Takeaways

• The tone of the episode is lively, sardonic, and rich in media-literary references and internal banter.
• The show provides context for ongoing political and corruption scandals, with many direct and indirect jabs at the current government and opposition figures.
• The team excels at mixing rigorous press reviews, data, and contemporary humor—each panelist bringing a particular voice.

Summary useful for new listeners:
In this episode, “La España que madruga,” listeners are treated to witty, sharp banter on the state of journalism, deep dives into Spanish political scandals, an analysis of the morning's press, cutting economic commentary, and energetic sports highlights. The show blends inside jokes and biting criticism to create a uniquely engaging news roundup—perfect for those who want to wake up informed and entertained.