Podcast Summary: Más de Uno — “La España que madruga” (13/02/2026)

Main Theme

This episode of “La España que madruga” (Más de Uno, Onda Cero) blends sharp political commentary, current events reporting, and lively banter with doses of humor. Host Carlos Alsina and his regular panel dissect the latest political turbulence in Spain—especially the fallout inside the PSOE, media controversies, international tensions, and a much-discussed football match—all while maintaining the trademark irreverent, quick-witted tone that makes the morning show a favorite for Spanish listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Spirit of Early-Morning Journalism

• The episode opens with a tongue-in-cheek homage to journalists as the unsleeping sentinels of Spanish democracy.
  • Carlos Alsina sets the stage: “Se levantan cuando el gallo aún no [...] renuncian a dormir para otear lo que trae el día.” (00:02–00:06)
  • Playful jabs at the press:
    • “Un regimiento de tipos furiosos corriendo de un lado para otro para que unos cuantos aburridos sepan lo que pasa por el mundo.” — Daniel Ramírez García Mina (00:20)
  • Debate about the true value and challenges of journalism.

2. Seven and a Half Morning Questions—Political Intrigue

• Rosa Belmonte introduces sardonic, rapid-fire questions on Spain’s political scene (01:45–02:45), including:
  • PSOE’s legislative alliances (“¿No es maravilloso que el PSOE, para complacer a Junts en la ley de la reincidencia, haya terminado votando también con el PP y con VOX?” — Carlos Cuesta, 01:53)
  • Exclusion of Sánchez from EU pre-summit dinner by Italy’s Meloni.
  • Ongoing scandals like the “caso mascarillas” (mask procurement scandal).
  • The controversial blaming of deceased ex-leader Javier Lambán for election losses (“¿La autocrítica del PSOE entonces pasa por echarle la culpa al muerto?” — Carlos Cuesta, 02:35)
  • Analysis of the fragmented left and internal party blame games.

3. Press Headlines and Political Factions

• Rubén Amón and Rosa Belmonte dissect conflicting media narratives on Sánchez’s EU exclusion (03:16–05:35):
  • Different media frames (El País, La Razón, El Mundo, ABC) about Meloni and Sánchez’s diplomatic rift.
  • “Bastante desconcierto y desempate en las versiones de los periódicos.” — Rubén Amón (03:16)
  • PSOE’s internal crisis: Oscar López blamed for dragging deceased Lambán into current disputes, with commentators coining memorable lines like “culpar a un muerto” (05:10).

4. Political Satire and Metaphors

• Frequent use of culinary and criminal metaphors (“merluzas a la marinera”, comparing Ábalos and Coldo to Bonnie and Clyde) to lampoon the day’s headlines (05:35–06:56).
• Ironized fatigue with endless governmental disputes:
  • “El Gobierno está en guerra hasta con los muertos.” — Rubén Amón (05:22)

5. News Beyond Politics: Social and International Headlines

• Rosa Belmonte provides a quick-fire rundown of notable news:
  • Gender violence and sensationalist reporting around a kidnapping case in Murcia (07:31–09:20).
  • The normalization of ETA prisoners’ semi-liberty in the Basque Country.
  • South Korea’s possible succession plans, with Kim Jong-un’s daughter in the headlines.
  • Light-hearted critique and audience opinions on Valentine’s Day (“San Valentín”), and a literary debate about “Cumbres Borrascosas”.

6. Business and Economic Press Review

• Félix José Casillas dives into the front pages:
  • Spanish banks leading in global mega-credits.
  • Government plans to penalize landlords who raise rent (“Se van a cargar el mercado” — 10:02).
  • Critique of government incentives, with worries about labor and housing market interventions.

7. Humor and Satirical Vignettes

• Economic cartoon of the day: Passengers pushing an AVE train while the transport minister cheers them on. (11:16)
  • “Los pasajeros del AVE bajan del tren y lo empujan [...] Vamos, empuje.” — Félix J. Casillas (11:16)

8. Sports: The Night’s Football Upset

• Carlos Alsina and panel break down Atlético Madrid’s resounding 4–0 victory over Barcelona.
  • Historical context and statistics (“El Barça no perdía por 4 goles al descanso desde el año 1954” — 12:15).
  • Other big clashes in Spanish football upcoming, injury watch for Mbappé.

9. Weekly Lyric Recap

• Félix José Casillas reads a satirical, poetic summary, mixing political allegory with cultural references, from Aragón’s rightward shift to critiques of party systems and government dysfunction (12:55–14:04).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Un regimiento de tipos furiosos corriendo de un lado para otro para que unos cuantos aburridos sepan lo que pasa por el mundo.”
  — Daniel Ramírez García Mina, (00:20)
• “El Gobierno está en guerra hasta con los muertos.”
  — Rubén Amón, (05:22)
• “La autocrítica del PSOE entonces pasa por echarle la culpa al muerto.”
  — Carlos Cuesta, (02:35)
• “Bastante desconcierto y desempate en las versiones de los periódicos.”
  — Rubén Amón, (03:16)
• “Los pasajeros del AVE bajan del tren y lo empujan. El ministro Puente con un megáfono los arenga así: ‘Vamos, empuje. No queremos acumular más retrasos en la alta velocidad.’”
  — Félix J. Casillas, (11:16)
• “El Barça no perdía por 4 goles al descanso desde el año 1954.”
  — Carlos Alsina, (12:15)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:02–00:20: Opening banter and philosophical take on journalism
• 01:45–02:45: The Seven and a Half Questions (current affairs lightning round)
• 03:16–05:35: Political news review, Sánchez and Meloni coverage
• 05:45–06:56: Satirical press roundup (Ábalos, Coldo, mask scandal)
• 07:31–09:20: Social & crime news review (Murcia kidnapping, ETA prisoners, Kim Jong-un’s daughter)
• 10:02–11:12: Economic news and analysis
• 11:16: Economic cartoon
• 11:28–12:47: Football analysis and historical context
• 12:55–14:04: Weekly poetic recap

Style & Tone

The show keeps a breezy, ironic tone, balancing serious analysis with wit and cultural references. Panelists challenge each other with sharp questions and sarcasm, making the political analysis entertaining without losing depth. The listener leaves with a well-rounded sense of Spain’s current affairs, plus a few laughs and memorable metaphors.

Ideal For: Anyone seeking a smart, irreverent review of Spanish politics, culture, and sport, full of quotable moments and illuminating media critiques.