Summary of "La España que madruga 27/01/2026"

Podcast: Más de Uno
Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview

This episode of "Más de Uno" offers an energetic, sardonic look at the early-morning Spanish news cycle. The team, led by Carlos Alsina and co-contributors, delivers incisive commentary on the major headlines of the day: the continued fallout from a devastating train accident in Adamuz, political maneuvering around immigration policy, the latest in government and economic news, as well as quirky and lighter cultural touchstones, from journalism’s role to breakfast banter about croquetas. The distinctive tone is witty and overtly critical, mixing facts, quotes, and dry humor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Press and Journalists: “La España que madruga”

• Opening montage highlighting the self-sacrificial nature of journalists and the sometimes adversarial relationship with public opinion.
  • Quote: “Su única bandera es el periodismo. Sé tratar todo tipo de noticias.” (Narrator/Host, 00:16)
• Emphasis on journalism as both a noble calling and a subject of frequent criticism and misunderstanding.
  • Quote: “Aquí se tiene muy poco respeto a la prensa.” (Critic, 00:28)
• Humor and slight irony about what motivates early risers in media.

2. Political and Infrastructural Crisis: The Adamuz Train Accident

• The day's main story revolves around the latest updates on the train disaster and deepening scrutiny of RENFE, Adif, and the Ministry of Transport.

• Félix José Casillas provides a comprehensive review of front-page coverage and the evolving narrative:

  • Multiple sources report an error in the guidelines for track welding, acknowledged and “corrected” by Minister Óscar Puente—but questions remain about oversight and responsibility.
  • Investigations center on how old and new rail segments were joined, with conflicting accounts surfacing in media and official statements.

• Broader political implications:

  • Dismissals in Catalonia (Rodalies crisis) but none in Adamuz, stirring accusations of selective accountability.
  • Public rituals and ceremonies: the state funeral for victims is religious, while the planned secular event is cancelled.
  • Quote: “La investigación concentra toda la responsabilidad en Adif y Puente.” (Félix José Casillas, 03:19)

• Implicit criticism of how crises are managed and spun in political theater.

  Timestamps: 02:20–05:14

3. Political Distraction or Reform? Immigration Regularization

• The government's plan for a large-scale regularization of immigrants—pushed through quickly, circumventing standard debate processes.

  • Supporters frame it as overdue justice; critics see an opportunistic smokescreen to shift focus from infrastructure scandals.
  • Quote: “Regularización masiva, proclama la portada del País... podrán acogerse quienes acrediten que estaban en España antes de acabar 2025 y carecen de antecedentes.” (Félix José Casillas, 05:30)

• Noteworthy friction over the “decreto ómnibus”, which bundles unrelated policies and is knocked by PP and Junts for lack of transparency.

  Timestamps: 05:14–06:36

4. Press Roundup: Social, Scientific, and Cultural Debates

• Quick-fire summaries of other stories in the morning press:

  • Negligence in Train Maintenance: Camacho's column highlights that neglected maintenance vehicles are symptomatic of broader decay.
  • Feminist criticism: 30 organizations accuse the government of normalizing the veil, raising questions about cultural integration policies.
  • Public perception and science: A revealing BBVA survey shows one third of Spaniards deny that climate change is caused by humans and nearly 30% believe in government-covered alien visits.
    • Quote: “Un 30 de españoles cree que el cambio climático no se debe a la actividad humana... 28%... cree que nos han visitado alienígenas.” (Critic, 07:34)
  • Cultural flavor: Madrid Fusión crowns its best croqueta—another badge of honor for Salino restaurant.

  Timestamps: 06:39–08:55

5. Economic News and Analysis

• Professor Rodríguez Brown delivers a brisk overview of economic headlines:

  • Santander’s massive shareholder program.
  • The Adamuz accident’s impact on Spanish companies abroad.
  • Ayuso’s promise to reduce IRPF in Madrid, celebrated in right-leaning media as proof of the triumph of a “low-tax, low-regulation” model over more centralized approaches.
  • European Central Bank plans to scrutinize home loans to preclude another housing bubble.
  • Wall Street Journal dissects the real drivers behind gold’s climb—less inflation, more global instability.
    • Quote: “La crisis de Rodalies. Adif ejecuta solo la mitad de lo presupuestado.” (Professor Rodríguez Brown, 09:31)
  • Economic cartoon of the day: a cracked railway as metaphor for corruption and mismanagement corroding Spain’s foundations.
    • Quote: “El texto: la corrupción y la mala gestión corroyeron el acero.” (Professor Rodríguez Brown, 10:50)

  Timestamps: 08:55–11:05

6. Sports Briefing

• Felix José Casillas and the team preview a packed Champions League matchday and pressing issues in domestic football, from Mourinho’s legacy at Real Madrid to transfer drama at Barcelona (notably the loss of young star Pedro Fernández to PSG).

• Tennis: Alcaraz’s upcoming match against Zverev gets a mention, and a lighter story emerges around the controversy of not allowing players to wear watches under their wristbands.

  • Quote: “Al que hará se lo obligaron a quitarlo el otro día y el jefe de la marca dice que tienen los permisos, que no es de paje y que cuestan 232 euros.” (Narrator, 12:40)

  Timestamps: 11:05–13:03

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A pesar del gobierno.”
  — Professor Rodríguez Brown (01:09), playfully signaling the ever-present cynicism towards political authority.

• “La corrupción y la mala gestión corroyeron el acero.”
  — Professor Rodríguez Brown (10:50), reading the economic cartoon headline that neatly encapsulates the morning’s theme.

• “Un 30 de españoles cree que el cambio climático no se debe a la actividad humana.”
  — Critic/Commentator (07:34), noting the results of a national survey on scientific beliefs.

• “Regularización masiva, proclama la portada del País...”
  — Félix José Casillas (05:30), starting the debate over immigration policy as political distraction.

• “Si la gente supiera cómo bailas el Aurresco al anochecer junto al árbol de Guernica…”
  — Félix José Casillas (06:00), blending politics and Basque tradition in a tongue-in-cheek aside.

Structure and Tone

The episode is rapid-fire, breezily sarcastic, and pulls no punches in critiquing government, media, and social attitudes. Wit and wordplay are balanced with substantive journalistic critique, punctuated by absurdist one-liners, asides, and playful banter between hosts and contributors.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening and Journalism Satire: 00:00–01:05
• News Roundtable (Adamuz and Political Crisis): 02:20–05:14
• Immigration Regularization Debate: 05:14–06:36
• Social & Scientific Press Review: 06:39–08:55
• Economic Update & Commentary: 08:55–11:05
• Sports Coverage: 11:05–13:03