Podcast Summary: Más de uno – 08/12/2025 (Onda Cero)
Main Theme
This festive edition of Más de uno, hosted by Carlos Alsina and Rubén Amón, delivers a comprehensive, insightful, and humorous take on Spain’s top news for December 8, 2025 (Día de la Inmaculada), a national holiday. The episode covers the critical stories shaping the national conversation: intense political crises, results from fresh opinion polls, the fallout from several scandals in the government, the operation retorno marking the end of a holiday long weekend, as well as international updates, culture, local curiosities, and in-depth discussions with expert voices and the regular tertulianos.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Politics & Social Climate
a. Operation Retorno & Holiday Mood (00:15–02:00)
- Spain wakes to stable weather for the holiday return. Carlos Alsina sets the scene: “Día de la Inmaculada, festivo en toda España de operación retorno del fin de semana largo...” (00:15)
- Weather updates and practical information are interwoven with anticipation of heavy traffic as 6 million Spaniards hit the road.
b. The Paco Salazar Sexual Harassment Scandal & PSOE Fallout (04:14–07:55; 29:31–31:00; 52:03–57:00; 161:33–189:09)
- Carlos Alsina reviews the complicated and damaging allegations against high-profile government adviser Paco Salazar and his right-hand man, Antonio Hernández.
- Notable quote: “Nos hacía luz de gas constante, haciéndonos dudar de nuestras propias percepciones...” – Alsina cita a una denunciante (04:14)
- Debate over accountability and feminist credibility within PSOE: “El partido está ya muy dañado por el caso Coldo. ...no puede haber tenido hasta cocina metidos a un putero, un chorizo y un acosador, dice literal este socialista.” (06:41)
- The government’s slow, opaque response is heavily criticized. Alsina and roundtable participants note this damages PSOE’s core feminist narrative and creates division within party ranks.
- PP demands legal changes to force absent ministers to explain absences during scandal: “El Partido Popular va a presentar una reforma para el reglamento del Congreso...” (03:27; 31:00)
- Tertulia debate (161:33–189:09): sharp confrontation over victim-blaming, the efficacy and ethics of internal party protocols, and why victims do or do not go to the judiciary.
c. Government Weakness & Opinion Polls (07:55–10:15; 29:40–31:00; 62:02–63:04; 128:24–136:50; 138:01–157:34)
- Polls show 66% of Spaniards want early elections, including 41% of Socialist voters; confidence in institutions is perilously low.
- “El 66 % pide elecciones ya ante la degradación de las instituciones... solo el 27 % confía en el Ejecutivo.” (62:02)
- The PSOE–Sumar coalition would lose over 30 seats; PP and Vox dominate the right, but PP may not reach a solo majority.
- The panel analyzes reasons for disaffection, with Alsina and Amón noting both parties degrade institutions while decrying institutional collapse.
- “...nueve de cada diez ciudadanos ve las instituciones degradadas...” (128:24)
- Commentary on the inability to pass new budgets, speculation about snap elections in Aragón and Andalucía, and Junts’ continued hardline positioning.
d. Media Review & Institutional Decay (11:29–12:45; 84:58–91:44; 136:50–137:05)
- Key headlines: institutional degradation, socialist scandals, the rise of Vox, and ongoing parliamentary blockades.
- Notable quote: "En estos 47 años nunca hemos tenido un gobierno que degradase tanto las instituciones..." – Feijóo (102:45)
- Discussion on how both major parties weaponize issues for short-term gain, undermining trust.
e. The Extremadura and Aragón Regional Election Dynamics (08:00–10:00; 128:24–136:50; 152:08–154:05)
- Extremadura elections on Dec 21: PP leads, but without majority; Vox as key “llave”, PSOE seen as crippled by scandal.
- Aragón: President Azcón hints at snap regional elections amid budget deadlocks; panel notes national parties may leverage regional votes for broader positioning.
2. International & European Affairs
a. Ukraine Peace Process & Trump’s Role (01:35–02:00; 37:11–38:17; 111:47–112:57)
- Donald Trump acting as deal-broker for Ukraine; Alsina reports Trump feels “decepcionado” with Zelensky for not reviewing US-led proposals.
- “Me decepciona un poco que el presidente Zelensky aún no haya leído nuestra propuesta. A su gente le encanta y él ya la tiene. A Rusia le parece bien.” (111:47)
- European leaders (Starmer, Macron, Mers) meet with Zelensky in London to discuss the US plan and their concerns over pressure to concede territory (112:57).
- Increased nervousness in Kyiv about US-Russia closeness and waning European leverage.
b. Gaza & Middle East Update (01:50–02:00; 35:06–36:07; 114:12–114:42)
- Reports of tenuous peace plan phases: Israel demands Hamas disarm, but Hamas flatly refuses.
- “No entregaremos nunca las armas, no permitiremos control internacional de Gaza, ni tampoco renunciaremos al poder...” – Hannah Beris reporting Netanyahu and Mashal’s conflicting positions (114:42)
- Germany solidifies support for Israel but insists on a future two-state solution.
c. Venezuela–US Military Tension, Nobel Prize, and Latin America (15:47–17:05; 34:02–35:06; 118:00–119:25)
- US–Venezuela showdown: military buildups, hostile rhetoric. “Por ninguna circunstancia permitiremos la invasión de un imperio.” (34:04)
- Maria Corina Machado’s attendance at the Oslo Nobel ceremony is a morale booster for Venezuelan opposition.
- Quirky: Argentina debates a “cow methane tax” for climate change mitigation (16:08).
3. National and Regional News
a. Social and Legal Affairs
- Peste porcina outbreak in Barcelona: success in maintaining outbreak within a 6km radius, but export trade is threatened. Investigation on possible laboratory origin underway (32:25–33:47; 110:19–111:36).
- Gender violence: fresh case in El Viso del Alcor; 43rd victim of 2025 (69:42–70:47).
b. Culture & Science
- Guggenheim Bilbao opens “Artes de la Tierra”, a multidisciplinary, sustainability-themed exhibition with living elements (14:07–15:39).
- The Louvre suffers another blow: infrastructure failures cause flooding, damaging hundreds of 19th-century Egyptology documents (68:12–69:49; 136:45–137:05).
- Feature on the origins of black plague: new theories link the Medieval pandemic to a volcanic eruption (19:09–20:14).
c. Sports Recap (20:22–21:16; 95:59–97:46)
- Real Madrid’s shock defeat to Celta, disciplinary fallout, and impact on league table–“el arbitraje hoy no me ha gustado” (21:16).
- F1: Lando Norris wins championship, Spanish drivers mid-pack.
d. Economy, Society & Oddities
- Ongoing rental crisis: average rents surpassing €1,000/month in major cities (94:01–95:10).
- Rural tourism booms in Canarias, displacing traditional hotels (22:56–23:09).
- News Quiz: Spain’s love for roundabouts and bizarre local monuments discussed in an extended, humor-laden segment with author Eric Harley (206:21–245:56).
4. Analysis & Tertulia (Round Table)
a. Political Decay, Feminism, and the Media (138:01–189:09)
- Lively, sometimes heated roundtable with Ainhoa Martínez, Javier Portillo, Caravaggio, Rubén Amón, Marta García, and guest voices. Discussion highlights:
- The PSOE’s handling of the Salazar case damages its feminist stance; lack of accountability is “un despropósito completo” (171:32–171:55).
- Questioning why victims do not go to the courts; defense of victims' hesitance due to power imbalances and fear.
- Reflection on the “normalización” of institutional decay and citizen disaffection.
- Enduring polarization: “No sabemos dónde acaba la teatralización de la polarización y la polarización misma.” (149:18)
- The roundtable is critical of both the government and the opposition for self-serving behavior and unconstructive confrontation.
b. Notable Quotes from the Debate
- “Hay que lanzar estos mensajes y hay que cesar a estas personas....” (168:06)
- Rubén Amón: “No se asume una responsable persona sacrificando al segundo del afectado...”
- Marta García: “No podemos acusar a las víctimas de no ser buenas víctimas.”
5. Culture, Humor & Human Interest
a. Music & The Arts
- Feature segment: Leonor Watling and Leo Sidran present their collaborative album—exploring the creativity and “joya” that results from musical cross-pollination (248:12–272:13).
b. Spain’s Enduring Love Affair with Rotondas (Roundabouts)
- Eric Harley discusses his satirical guide to Spain’s excessive roundabouts and notorious “mamotretos”, blending urbanism, humor, and national self-deprecation (206:21–245:56).
- “En España nos caben hasta montañas en las rotondas.” (218:16)
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- On political responsibility and inaction:
- “Asume en primera persona la responsabilidad por la tardanza en la gestión de las denuncias…” (52:03)
- “El partido no puede haber tenido hasta cocina metido a un putero, un chorizo y un acosador.” (06:41)
- On polls and institutional trust:
- “Solo el 27 % de los ciudadanos confía en el Ejecutivo, frente al casi 50% que lo hace la monarquía…” (29:40)
- On the PSOE feminist crisis:
- “El feminismo socialista se rebela en Andalucía contra Ferraz por los acosos.” (91:44)
- On the roundabouts phenomenon:
- Eric Harley: “En España nos caben hasta montañas en las rotondas…” (218:16)
- “La rotonda más grande de España: el Cerro de Masatrigo en Extremadura, una montaña convertida en rotonda natural.” (218:16)
- Satirical reflection on media and anti-hate radio:
- “Radio Hate, la radio que te escupe.” (239:59)
- Tertulia on campaign fatigue and polarization:
- “No sabemos dónde acaba la teatralización de la polarización y la polarización misma.” (149:18)
Timeline of Key Segments
- 00:15–04:14: Opening, weather, global situational update
- 04:14–07:55: Deep dive – Salazar sexual harassment case
- 07:55–10:15: Polls, government weakness, and electoral shifts
- 12:40–15:39: Cultural report: Guggenheim’s new eco-exhibit
- 20:22–22:10: Sports recap – Real Madrid defeat and F1
- 29:31–31:00: Recap and implications of Salazar for PSOE
- 37:11–38:17, 111:47–112:57: International – Ukraine, US, Trump’s peace plan
- 62:02–63:04: Statistical snapshot – public opinion and trust
- 84:58–91:44: Press roundup and institutional integrity
- 138:01–157:34: Tertulia (round table) – confrontation on PSOE, institutions
- 161:33–189:09: Tertulia continues: Gender violence, Salazar, and party response
- 206:21–245:56: Cultural – Spain’s obsession with roundabouts, humor with Eric Harley
- 248:12–272:13: Music – Interview with Leonor Watling & Leo Sidran
- 273:01–285:38: "Territorio Negro", feature on extremist groups in Spain
Final Notes
This episode of Más de uno masterfully combines serious news, sharp political and cultural analysis, and trademark humor, maintaining a dynamic and reflective tone throughout. The discussions around institutional crisis, party scandals, and shifting electoral winds are incisive, while lighter features on roundabouts and music showcase the program’s versatility and enduring appeal.