Podcast Summary: La senadora de UPN, Mar Caballero, sobre la comparecencia de Cerdán en el Senado

Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Carlos Alsina (OndaCero)
Guest: Mar Caballero (senadora de UPN)
Date: December 18, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Carlos Alsina speaks with Mar Caballero, senator from Unión del Pueblo Navarro (UPN), about the recent and highly anticipated Senate appearance of Santos Cerdán. Caballero shares her firsthand impressions from inside the commission, highlighting not only Cerdán’s combative attitude but also the noticeable lack of support—or even presence—from his own party, the PSOE. The conversation reflects on the political and personal dynamics revealed during the session, and the broader crisis of reputation affecting the Socialist party.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diverse Reactions to Santos Cerdán's Appearance (00:00-01:00)

• Alsina kicks off by noting the varied press reactions: some described Cerdán as "pendenciero", "desafiante", or "muy seguro de sí mismo", while others felt he seemed cold and even threatening towards his own party.

2. Mar Caballero’s Impressions of Cerdán’s Attitude (01:11-02:54)

• Unexpected Confrontation: Caballero says she was surprised by Cerdán's aggressive tone and personal targeting.
  • Quote [02:12]: "Me sorprendió que quisiera intervenir y encima hacerlo en el tono que lo hizo, en un tono chulesco, e iniciar conmigo una confrontación casi personal hablándome de ETA. Me pareció bastante ruin por su parte." — Mar Caballero
• Lack of Prior Relationship: She notes they only know each other from attending the same events in Navarra, not from any direct political collaboration.
• Political Targeting: Caballero believes Cerdán's animosity was directed more at her party than at her personally.

3. The ETA Reference and Cerdán’s Self-Justification (02:54-03:35)

• Cerdán apparently asked if Caballero was "glad" that ETA had ceased its violent activities, positioning himself as a major contributor to that outcome.
• Speaker Commentary: Alsina interprets this as Cerdán claiming credit for ending ETA and for facilitating leftist governance.
  • Quote [03:05]: "El señor Cerdán estaba como colgándose medallas a sí mismo por el trabajo que hizo..." — Carlos Alsina
• Caballero found this line of attack both unfair and destabilizing for the proceedings.

4. The PSOE’s Silence and Cerdán’s Isolation (03:35-05:16)

• Surprise at Socialist Inaction: Caballero expresses shock that the PSOE, the most affected party, did not question Cerdán at all—offering instead a perfunctory, sentimental speech.
  • Quote [03:59]: "Me sorprendió la soledad... ayer, en esta circunstancia, entré en la sala y estaba él solo, rodeado de periodistas y los socialistas casi no llegan..." — Mar Caballero
• Contrast with Previous Support: She points out how, just a year earlier, Cerdán was surrounded by party colleagues, but this time he was left "alone".
• Impact of the Atmosphere: The Socialist senators arrived at the last minute, avoided questioning, and provided no real support.

5. Dynamics of Political Abandonment (05:16-07:01)

• Caballero draws a parallel to how the PSOE distanced itself from Ábalos during his own crisis, suggesting a pattern of abandoning embattled members:
  • Quote [05:56]: "Aquí tienen mucho miedo, mucho miedo acercarse al que cae y verdaderamente esas amistades... ayer le hicieron un vacío importante." — Mar Caballero
• She speculates about internal party relationships and a culture of avoidance when reputational damage is at stake.
• Reflection: Caballero notes the personal and political fragility that the commission’s scene exposed for Cerdán.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [02:12] Mar Caballero: “Me sorprendió que quisiera intervenir y encima hacerlo en el tono que lo hizo, en un tono chulesco, y encima iniciar conmigo una confrontación casi personal hablándome de ETA. Me pareció bastante ruin por su parte.”
• [03:05] Carlos Alsina: “El señor Cerdán estaba como colgándose medallas a sí mismo por el trabajo que hizo en su momento para que dejara de existir ETA, por el trabajo que ha hecho para que gobierne la izquierda...”
• [03:59] Mar Caballero: “Me sorprendió la soledad... entré en la sala y estaba él solo, rodeado de periodistas y los socialistas casi no llegan...”
• [05:56] Mar Caballero: "Aquí tienen mucho miedo, mucho miedo acercarse al que cae y verdaderamente esas amistades… ayer le hicieron un vacío importante.”

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• 00:00-01:00 – Overview of Cerdán’s public perception & introduction of Mar Caballero.
• 01:11-02:54 – Caballero’s first impressions of Cerdán’s attitude and personal interaction.
• 02:54-03:35 – Discussion of Cerdán’s ETA reference and efforts at self-legitimation.
• 03:35-05:16 – The PSOE’s response (or lack thereof) and the visual image of Cerdán alone.
• 05:16-07:01 – Broader commentary on abandonment within the party during crises.

Tone and Language

The conversation is candid, slightly tense, and seasoned with political irony and critical observation. Caballero maintains a composed but clearly disappointed tone, especially about the personal nature of Cerdán's remarks and the lack of meaningful party solidarity on display.

Conclusion

This episode gives listeners an intimate look at the inner workings and atmosphere of a highly charged Senate session. Through Caballero's account, we see not only the strategies and vulnerabilities of political actors but also the shifting allegiances and isolations that surface when scandal hits close to home. The discussion paints a compelling portrait of both institutional and personal fallout amid the PSOE’s ongoing crisis.