Podcast Summary: "La España que madruga" (Más de uno – Onda Cero, 16/12/2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of "La España que madruga" on Onda Cero, hosted by Carlos Alsina, delivers the latest news and sharp political commentary with an undercurrent of humor and irreverence. Regular contributors—including Rosa Belmonte, José Casilla, and Professor Daniel Ramírez García Mina—join for spirited reflections on the day's headlines, government controversies, social trends, press freedoms, and the ever-present lottery buzz leading into the holidays. The tone is quick-witted, satirical, and at times openly critical of current events and political figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Morning Banter: Journalists and "La España que madruga"

• The opening features a lively, tongue-in-cheek exchange about journalists being "notaries of the present," with playful jabs at the press. Rosa Belmonte interjects, highlighting both cynicism and humor about the media landscape.
  • Quote: “Ojalá os cayera un rayo encima.” – Rosa Belmonte (00:16)
• There's a theatrical critique of press freedom, professional burnout, and the burdensome vigilance required of early-rising journalists.

2. The Roundtable Introduces the Cast

• The panel greets Professor Daniel Ramírez García Mina as a guest analyst, setting up a recurring lottery theme for the holiday week.
• Early interactions thread in humor about the Christmas party (the "copa de Navidad") and lingering fatigue from the political season.

3. 7½ Questions for the Political Week (02:08 – 03:38)

• A segment structured as “seven and a half” pointed questions serves as a satirical summary of Spain’s current political predicaments, focusing on Pedro Sánchez and his government:
  • Was Sánchez’s euphoria over 2025 sincere, and should people be more anxious about his stated intent to remain in power until 2027? (02:20)
  • Is the ongoing coalition falling apart, or is the unrest just more political bluffing?
  • Are claims of media conspiracies justified, especially amid mounting scandals?
  • Skepticism about grand promises (e.g., 95,000 new homes) blends humor with social critique: "¿Vais a esperar a que las construya o es mejor comprarse una tienda de campaña?"
• Quote: “Me gustó mucho su dimensión de agente inmobiliario prometiendo la construcción de 95.000 viviendas.” – Political Analyst (03:01)

4. Press Review: How Papers Present Politics (03:38 – 06:00)

• The main newspapers’ headlines are dissected, highlighting government spin, particularly Sánchez’s year-end speech, maneuvering to placate coalition partners, and avoidance of cabinet reshuffles.
  • Rosa cynically observes the lack of even a pretense of normalcy or accountability: “Ni tan siquiera va a hacer malabarismos con los cargos para aparentar como que Pedro... finjamos juntos como cuando fingiste ese bostezo.” (04:07)
• Coverage extends to internal PSOE turmoil, corruption, sexual harassment scandals (notably in Galicia), and government attempts to regulate youth exposure to online pornography.
  • Quote: “Crece la sensación de que la crisis desembocará en el liderazgo de una mujer. Podría ser Leire. Esto no lo habíais visto venir.” – Rosa (about La Razón analysis, 05:19)

5. Corruption & Scandal Roundup (06:00 – 07:30)

• Rapid-fire reporting on:
  • The Plus Ultra rescue and alleged cronyism involving senior officials.
  • The Forestalia renewable energy probe.
  • Leire’s phone as possible smoking gun in ongoing investigations.
  • Scandal around Vox and the youth group Revuelta.
  • Quote: “Lo mejor de todo, hoy imparte clases de Ética financiera en la Carlos III.” – Rosa (about María Jesús Garrido, 06:42)

6. "La Hoguera de Belmonte": Social Commentary (07:33 – 09:41)

• Rosa Belmonte gives her trademark biting rundown:
  • Political grandstanding over the Dana floods.
  • The polarization atlas: “Un 14% de los encuestados ha roto relaciones con amigos o familiares por esto.” (political arguments at Christmas, 08:27)
  • Stark statistics on rising sexual assaults against minors.
  • The RAE’s new dictionary words: "loguearse", "millenial", "turismofobia", and even “farlopa”.
  • Notable oddities and stories from across Spain, including an electric company demanding proper Catalan pronunciation for job applicants.
  • On Venezuela’s situation and the potential for international mercenaries to intervene: “Sacar con vida a Maduro de Venezuela sería difícil. Matarlo... sería sencillo.” (09:41)

7. Economic News with Satire (09:41 – 11:52)

• Professor Daniel Ramírez García Mina recaps:
  • Stock market highs—“El IBEX conquista el 17.000. Acumula una subida del 47%.” (09:50)
  • Populist social measures, fiscal news, and criticisms of government economic policy.
  • International headlines: US CEOs adjusting to “capitalismo de Estado” under Trump; Financial Times on European economic worries.
  • Economic cartoon of the day (El Roto): “Ante la constante subida de los precios, la población se refugió en los tejados.” (11:52)

8. Sports Focus: Copa del Rey & More (12:08 – 13:42)

• José Casilla previews the day’s Copa del Rey matches, the local excitement over Barça’s trip to Guadalajara, and the festive energy around football and basketball fixtures.
  • Special mention: Florentino Pérez’s speech decrying refereeing decisions, and Real Madrid’s internal discontent with their performance style.
  • Basketball highlights, including the surprising feat of Cooper Flag, 18-year-old NBA player: “42 puntos… y se llama Cooper Flag.” (13:29)

9. Lighter Interludes: The Christmas Lottery Gag (13:50 – end)

• The team jokes about the intricacies of the Christmas lottery draw, the role of children in the proceedings, and the collective anticipation.
• Quick, humorous asides reinforce the show's blend of news and entertainment.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On journalists: “Son notarios de la actualidad.” – Narrator (00:10)
• On political fatigue: “De verdad, descansad. Ha sido un año intenso en lo político...” – Narrator (03:15)
• On government promises: “Me gustó mucho su dimensión de agente inmobiliario prometiendo la construcción de 95.000 viviendas...” – Political Analyst (03:01)
• On polarization: “Un 14% de los encuestados ha roto relaciones con amigos o familiares por esto.” – Rosa Belmonte (08:27)
• On economic absurdity: “El IBEX conquista el 17.000. Acumula una subida del 47%.” – Professor Daniel Ramírez García Mina (09:50)
• On dictionary trends: “La RAE incorpora loguearse, microteatro millenial o turismofobia.” – Rosa Belmonte (09:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Playful journalist banter | 00:01-00:38 | | Roundtable introductions & holiday lottery jokes | 01:07-01:56 | | 7½ Political Questions for the week | 02:08-03:38 | | Press headlines breakdown | 03:38-06:00 | | Deep dive into corruption/party scandals | 06:00-07:30 | | La hoguera de Belmonte (social/political commentary) | 07:33-09:41 | | Economic news + El Roto cartoon | 09:41-11:52 | | Sports section (Copa del Rey, football, basketball) | 12:08-13:42 | | Christmas lottery jokes, lighter closing banter | 13:50-end |

Tone & Language

• The episode maintains a blend of satirical skepticism, political critique, and witty repartee, often punctuated with cultural and social references relevant to Spain in late 2025.
• Humor is prevalent, both in direct commentary and subtle asides, reflecting a highly engaged, somewhat cynical but playful approach to news analysis.

For New Listeners

This episode presents a sharp, humorous, and analytic take on Spain’s major political, social, and economic stories before the Christmas break. It's a lively primer on Spanish current affairs, blending hard news and critical thinking with wit and satire—a trademark of "Más de uno" and "La España que madruga." Whether it’s the latest government scandal, a sly dig at media excesses, or the collective anticipation of the iconic Christmas lottery, the panel keeps listeners both informed and entertained.