Podcast Summary: Más de uno — "Las tres noticias de Carlos Alsina para empezar el día: 'Sánchez no encuentra quien le comprenda'"

Host: Carlos Alsina (OndaCero)
Date: December 16, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Carlos Alsina delivers a sharp, often ironic analysis of Spain’s political morning, focusing on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s struggles—both with media scrutiny and with his government’s parliamentary fragility. The episode mixes current political intrigue, insider humor, and newspaper commentary, painting a vivid picture of a government in difficulty, persistent scandals, and uneasy coalition partners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Sánchez vs. the Media: The Presidential Complaint

• Main theme: Sánchez is frustrated that journalists focus on corruption and harassment scandals instead of positive economic news or government decrees.
  • “Sánchez no encuentra a quien le comprenda. Se duele ante los periodistas porque le preguntan por las corrupciones y por los acosos en lugar de preguntarle por el PIB…” (00:10)
• Critique on Governance by Decree: Alsina remarks on how Sánchez now governs by decree due to lack of sufficient parliamentary support, bypassing debate and discussion.

2. State of the Coalition and Government Support

• PSOE’s Dwindling Allies:
  • ERC (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya): Rufián questions Sánchez rhetorically but doesn’t threaten the government’s stability.
  • Bildu: Taking advantage of PSOE weakness to push its own positions.
  • PNV: Now vocal about corruption scandals as a problem for everyone.
  • Podemos: Consider the government “dead” and have all but switched to opposition.
  • Sumar: Frustrated by lack of influence; their ministers feel ignored.
• Quip about coalition: “Sumar, pues van comprobando que no les hace caso ni el Gobierno al que pertenece…” (01:25)

3. Yolanda Díaz’s New Initiative

• Ten-Day Bereavement Leave:
  • Díaz proposes an increase in leave after a family member dies, a deal supported by unions, yet lacks a clear parliamentary pathway.
  • “Plantea aumentar los días de ausencia por fallecimiento… hasta los 10 días. Lo que no aclara es con qué apoyo parlamentario piensa sacar adelante una reforma legal como esa.” (01:40)

4. Recent Political Events and Atmosphere

• Christmas Reception at La Moncloa:
  • A tradition where candid informal conversations are supposed to happen, but Alsina dryly notes that “el presidente tampoco dijo nada.” (02:22)
• Upcoming Government Reshuffle:
  • Pilar Alegría to step down as spokesperson and minister to focus on Aragon elections, with a yet-unknown replacement expected.
  • “Pedal Gría… dejará de ser portavoz del Gobierno y dejará de ser ministra.” (03:20)

5. Muted Media Support

• Press Reaction:
  • Even previously supportive editorial writers now demand “algo más”—either a vote of confidence or early elections.
  • “El denominador común… incluidos sus cambios de opinión, sus intoxicaciones… empiezan a exigirle a Sánchez algo más que compararse con el PP y decir que él es mejor que nadie. Algo más, algo más que se llama cuestión de confianza o elecciones anticipadas…” (04:25)

6. Speculation Over Possible Snap Elections

• Sánchez’s Pledge to Finish the Term:
  • Alsina dismisses his pledge to govern until 2027 as empty rhetoric:
    • “No existe ningún precedente de presidente del Gobierno en España que haya anticipado unas elecciones y meses antes lo haya anunciado. No existe.” (06:00)
  • The only hint elections aren’t imminent: Sánchez’s overture to ERC with a meeting for Oriol Junqueras.

7. Catalonia and the "Special Status" Proposal

• Potential Constitutional Changes:
  • Sánchez’s government plans to argue at UNESCO for a differentiated status for Catalonia and the Basque Country, which some take as a first step at constitutional reform.

8. The Corruption Scandals

• List of Cases and Government Ignorance:
  • Alsina satirizes the president's repeated claims of ignorance on scandals involving figures like Ábalos, Coldo, Zona, Salazar, and others:
    • “Es que no sabía lo de Ábalos, es que no sabía lo de Coldo… es que nunca sabía nada.” (13:15)

9. Statements from Key Political Allies

• Rufián (ERC) Dilemmas:
  • Voices discomfort at supporting the government but rejects the alternative of a PP/Vox coalition:
  • Quote:
    • “Tengo dudas y dudo frente a todo lo que está pasando porque muchos de nosotros… no queremos seguir pasando vergüenza como estamos pasando cada día.” (14:55)
• PNV and Sumar:
  • Indicate growing distance and question the government’s viability.
• Yolanda Díaz and Ministers of Sumar:
  • Push for deep cabinet reshuffle and feel sidelined.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “El presidente tampoco dijo nada. ¿Qué nos esperas en la copa de Navidad?” (02:22)
  — On the emptiness of La Moncloa's traditional Christmas reception.
• “Es que si hay elecciones los ciudadanos no nos quieren. Pues igual debería ser eso en lo que usted pensara un poco bueno.” (15:45)
  — Alsina’s sardonic take on the coalition's resignation.
• “Bueno, ¿Y los socios qué? Pues los socios están en lo que están, que es que no parezca que nos da igual todo lo que está pasando, que no parezca que justificamos lo que le está pasando al Partido Socialista…” (12:40)
  — On the tightrope walk of coalition members.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sánchez's Relationship with the Media and Governing by Decree: 00:00–02:30
• Coalition Dynamics / Díaz’s New Proposal: 02:30–04:00
• Government Reshuffle and Christmas Reception: 04:00–05:30
• Media Demand for Confidence Vote or Elections: 05:30–07:30
• ERC Meeting and “Special Status” for Catalonia/Basque Country: 07:30–10:00
• Corruption Scandals and Government Ignorance: 10:00–13:30
• Reactions from Rufián, PNV, Sumar: 13:30–16:00

Tone and Style

Alsina maintains a witty, critical, and conversational tone throughout, alternating between analytic depth, political satire, and subtle mockery of political clichés and evasions. He is incisive in dissecting government messaging and coalition anxieties, while using relatable language for complex political maneuvers.

Summary Conclusion

Carlos Alsina provides a pointed and entertaining morning digest of the Spanish political climate, emphasizing government fragility, recurring scandals, coalition unease, and the disconnect between Sánchez and both the media and former supporters. The episode stands out for Alsina’s expert mix of news, sarcasm, and insight, making complex parliamentary maneuvers and public sentiment clear and engaging.