Podcast Summary: Más de uno – February 17, 2026 (Onda Cero)

Host: Carlos Alsina
Main Theme:
A fast-paced and comprehensive review of the day's key news and political debates in Spain, featuring humor, lively debate, and coverage of breaking events, including a tragic fire in Barcelona and evolving political tensions both in the country and abroad.

Episode Overview

This episode of "Más de uno" begins with the news of a deadly fire in Manlleu (Barcelona), then tours through the latest in Spanish politics (notably María Guardiola's negotiations with Vox in Extremadura), economic decisions like the new minimum wage, and major international stories. Throughout, the show’s trademark wit, journalistic analysis, and debate are on display, with diverse contributors, commentary, and listener engagement.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Tragic Fire in Manlleu: Five Adolescent Fatalities (00:17, 39:35, 52:28, 101:27)

• What Happened:
  • A fire broke out in a rooftop storage room (“trastero”) on a five-story residential building in Manlleu, Barcelona.
  • Five teenagers died; four were found deceased inside, one died under resuscitation attempts.
  • Early speculation that the space was used as housing was corrected: it was not a residence, simply a hangout spot for local youth.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  • Cause of fire remains unknown.
  • The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) are leading investigations.
  • The municipality declared three days of mourning and planned a minute of silence.
• Community Response:
  • Emergency support and psychological care offered to families; details shared via live update from Barcelona newsroom.

Notable Quotes

• "Cinco adolescentes fallecidos, hay cuatro personas que están heridas... la desgracia es la que es." — Carlos Alsina (48:26)
• “El Ayuntamiento de Manyeu ha decretado tres días de duelo oficial y ha convocado un minuto de silencio a las 7 p.m.” (53:13)

2. Political Unrest: María Guardiola, Vox & PP Negotiations (08:31, 32:11, 53:53, 91:14)

• Extremadura Deadlock:
  • María Guardiola (PP) seeks re-election as regional president, but is reliant on Vox support.
  • Guardiola has shifted rhetoric: once strongly critical of Vox’s positions (especially on gender issues), she now overtly courts their support, expressing pride in past and potential pacts.
  • PP’s national leadership privately expresses frustration at Guardiola’s inconsistent public stance and calls for less "noise" and more discreet negotiation.
• Vox’s Stance:
  • Vox appears in no rush to facilitate her investiture, as a form of political leverage and possible retaliation for past criticism.
  • The party insists on negotiating behind closed doors—not via media.
• Internal PP Turbulence:
  • Debate within PP about the wisdom of public negotiation and the impact on party image.
  • Tension highlighted by both “fire from friends and enemies.”

Notable Quotes

• “Creo que en estas negociaciones sobra ruido y falta trabajo serio.” — Carmen Funes, PP National Deputy Secretary (10:06, 32:43)
• “El feminismo que defiendo, estoy convencida que es el feminismo que defiende Vox.” — María Guardiola (09:16, 32:56, 91:14)
• “Ahora dice que Vox y Vox, porque tienen muchísimas cosas en común, porque están en casi todo de acuerdo… Gestos para agradar al socio y el socio castigando…” — Carlos Alsina (59:19, 91:31)

3. Socialist Scandal: Borja Cabezón under Tax Evasion Suspicion (13:00, 30:00, 53:53, 112:11)

• The Allegations:
  • Media reports allege Borja Cabezón (PSOE, adjunto a la secretaría de Organización) used off-shore company structures to avoid taxes in past private business dealings.
  • Documents from Numaria, an infamous consultancy, suggest use of British shell companies to pay less tax in Spain.
• Cabezón's Response:
  • Denies creating "laberintos societarios"; says business activity was fully declared and in Spain.
  • Claims to have been a client only because of Numaria's prestige at the time.
  • Receives public defense from government officials; opposition calls for resignation.
• Wider Implications:
  • Case parallels previous Spanish political scandals with ministers forced to resign.
  • The issue is used by the opposition to attack Sánchez and PSOE’s credibility (e.g., calling Ferraz "la cueva de Alí Babá").

Notable Quotes

• “Borja Cabezón lo que ha hecho es aclarar que esta información hace referencia a su actividad privada, pero bastante del pasado… Niega que se haya creado laberintos societarios...” — Carlos Alsina (12:37)
• “Las cuentas son transparentes, también publicadas, son públicas y que no hay ninguna sociedad ni directa ni indirectamente en el extranjero.” — Ángel Víctor Torres, Minister (13:00)

4. Vox’s Proposal to Ban Burka and Niqab in Public (27:00, 53:53, 141:07)

• Legislative Proposal:
  • Vox brings a law initiative to Congress to ban full-face Islamic veils in public spaces.
  • PP indicates it will support the measure.
  • The law’s justification shifts between defending women’s rights and order/security arguments; critics, including leftist and nationalist parties, see it as stoking Islamophobia.
• Debate & Context:
  • Similar bans exist in several European countries. In Spain, repeated attempts at local bans have been overturned by the courts.
  • Debate on where individual freedom ends and where societal values begin—especially regarding gender rights.
  • Complex discussion in tertulia: whether prohibition achieves women’s liberation, or risks further marginalization, and what precedents it sets for state power.

Notable Quotes

• “El burka no tiene otra finalidad que evitar que la mujer pueda ser tentación para el hombre que la ve en el espacio público.” — Carlos Alsina (53:53)
• “Estos son extremos alienantes que condicionan la libertad de la mujer mucho más que su libertad de expresión.” — Rubén Amón (141:07)
• “¿Hasta qué punto son libres para hacerlo? ...la libertad de elección puede estar entredicho.” — Marta García (143:31)

5. Economic & Social Policy Updates

Salario Mínimo Interprofesional rises to €1,221/month (16:41, 34:53, 103:06, 96:05)

• Government Action:

  • Today’s Council of Ministers will approve a significant bump in the minimum wage—celebrated by unions, but opposed by business associations.
  • President Sánchez accuses employer organizations of not doing their part to raise salaries, creating economic “populist” rhetoric.
  • Dispute over whether the actual mechanisms are adequate and if further measures are needed.

  Quotes:

  • “No vamos a volver a esa España del trabaja más y cobra menos…” — Pedro Sánchez (103:16)
  • "Siempre has estado en el lado correcto de la historia" — Yolanda Díaz to Sánchez (96:05, 59:05, 34:53)

Medical Strike (37:15, 85:39)

• Doctors Protest:
  • High rates of participation in strikes for better working conditions and against new employment statutes.
  • Impact: 90% follow-through in hospitals, 85% in primary care; non-urgent appointments postponed.

Road Safety Report (38:27)

• Key Statistics:
  • Spain remains below EU average in road deaths, but still struggles, especially with motorbikes and highways.

6. Weather, Culture and Human Interest

Weather (16:41, 64:41, 65:44)

• Forecast:
  • Rain and wind gradually abating, but high temperatures for the season continue.
  • Next front expected Thursday; sun predicted to return by Friday.

Culture: Obituary for Robert Duvall (14:51, 45:57, 123:23)

• Remembered for "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," and acting style; tributes from major newspapers.
• Noted for his Republican, non-Trumpian leanings.

Regional: Grazalema returns home after flooding (36:11, 63:12, 65:48)

• 80% of population allowed to return after evacuations due to severe weather; emotional homecoming captured in local color.

7. International Briefs (27:36, 20:07, 21:24)

• Swiss Diplomacy in Geneva:
  • US, Russia, and Ukraine trilateral talks, plus separate Iran nuclear discussions.
• Chinese Lunar New Year:
  • Year of the Fire Horse celebrated; overview of superstitions and traditions for prosperity.
• Madagascar Cyclone:
  • Dozens dead and infrastructure devastated by severe weather.

8. Sports Highlights (23:16, 85:40)

• Barça Upset:
  • FC Barcelona loses to Girona; critical self-reflection from players after another disappointing match.
• Champions League:
  • Real Madrid faces Benfica in Lisbon (preliminary round).
• Medical Bulletin:
  • Atlético's Nico González out due to muscle injury.

Notable Moments & Quotes

• “Así es como empieza este día...” (00:17) — Setting the stage for a mix of hard news and daily life.
• “No estoy haciendo lo suficiente para proteger mejor a la gente.” — Marta García, on climate disasters (67:29)
• “Creo que la izquierda entra en un espacio de ambigüedad…” — Rubén Amón, on the burka debate (155:12)
• “María Guardiola no era un ovni, era un globo.” — Carlos Alsina, on political consistency (91:14)
• “Dos votaciones fallidas más y Guardiola acaba pidiendo su ingreso en Vox.” — Alsina (91:14)

Episode Timeline / Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17 | Initial news: Fire in Manlleu, summary of breaking events | | 04:38 | Testimonials, audio collage (including on fire, weather) | | 08:31 | Start of political analysis: Guardiola & Vox | | 13:00 | Borja Cabezón tax evasion story | | 16:41 | Weather forecast | | 27:00 | Debate on burka/niqab proposal in Congress | | 34:53 | SMI raise, union-government tension | | 37:15 | Doctors’ strike coverage | | 39:35 | News updates: Crime, violence, etc. | | 52:28 | In-depth fire coverage update | | 59:05 | Yolanda Díaz to Sánchez: “Lado correcto de la historia” | | 91:14 | Alsina’s editorial on María Guardiola’s political shifts | | 141:07 | Tertulia debate on burka ban, identity, state power | | 155:10 | Roundtable continues: right/left positions in debate | | 162:41 | Focus shifts to Extremadura negotiations, PP-Vox tensions | | 173:51 | Editorial on Sumar and the “izquierda de la izquierda” | | 214:55 | Food & culture segment: Carnival traditions in Tolosa |

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a blend of seriousness (e.g., tragedy in Manlleu), biting political satire, and spirited journalistic debate. Carlos Alsina’s narration, humor, and signature skepticism shine through, with contributors offering both sharp critiques and lively banter—echoing what listeners expect from a “Más de uno” morning.

For listeners seeking a sense of Spain’s daily news agenda, current political dynamics, and cultural quirks—with transparent bias and sharp questioning—this episode delivers the full experience.