Podcast Summary: Más de uno – Qué opinan los españoles de la Constitución

Host: Carlos Alsina (OndaCero)
Date: February 19, 2026
Guest: Ignacio Urquizu
Theme: What do Spaniards think of their Constitution?

Episode Overview

This episode delves into public perceptions of the Spanish Constitution, following its recent milestone as the longest-standing constitution of the country’s democracy. Using data from recent surveys (notably the February CIS barometer), the hosts dissect how much Spaniards know about their constitutional framework, what they value about it, and whether they believe it requires reform.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Light-Hearted Start and Segue into the Main Topic

• Hosts joke about Ignacio Urquizu’s early start to the day and a previous discussion on sexual habits surveys.
  • Memorable moment (00:16–01:30): The team banters about survey methodologies, emphasizing how candid survey participants can be, such as admitting infidelities in a whisper.
  • Quote:
    • “¿Sabéis que es admirable que una persona responda con sinceridad las preguntas de esta encuesta?” – Carlos (01:30)

2. Historical and Current Knowledge of the Constitution

• The Constitution turns 47, becoming Spain’s most enduring constitution.

  • Fact (01:51): The 1978 Constitution now surpasses the 1876 version in longevity.

• Public knowledge about the Constitution is low—both historically and presently.

  • Data from 1978:
    • 56% did not know the purpose of a constitution. (02:07)
    • Only 24.6% knew what it was for.
  • More recent data (2008):
    • Only around 33% could correctly state it was from 1978. Many located it in the wrong year, with some citing 1812 or even 1776. (03:23)
  • Quote:
    • “El 50 de los españoles no sabían que este mes de febrero nuestra Constitución se convertía en la más longeva.” – Ignacio Urquizu (02:07)
    • “En realidad no llegó al 33% que supo situar la Constitución española en 1978.” – Ignacio Urquizu (03:33)

• Demographic Trends:

  • Those with higher education levels knew more about its origin.
  • Notably, nationalist party voters (CHA, BNG, Nafarroa Bai, Esquerra) were more likely to cite the correct year. (04:08)
  • Voters for Partido Popular and PSOE fared worse on this question.

3. Current Perceptions and Associations

• Key finding from this week’s CIS barometer:

  • Spaniards mostly associate the Constitution with the development of social rights (82%), rather than economic prosperity or Spain’s role in the world. (04:28)
  • Confidence in the Constitution’s ability to solve present-day problems is low: 58% say they have “little or no confidence.”
  • Quote:
    • “Han perdido algo de esperanza en que pueda resolver estos problemas actuales. El 58 por ciento dice que tiene poca o ninguna confianza en que sirva para resolverlos.” – Ignacio Urquizu (04:33)

• Change in opinion over time:

  • 43% say their opinion of the Constitution has worsened in the last decade, while only 20% think it has improved.
  • Most negative: Vox, Esquerra, Junts voters
  • Most positive: PSOE, Bildu voters

4. What Spaniards Value and Overlook

• Most important features highlighted by citizens:
  • Guarantees liberty: 32%
  • Resolves conflicts peacefully / consensus-based approval: 15%
• Least recognized aspects:
  • Article 14 (equality under the law, non-discrimination): only 0.2%
  • Brought democracy/end of dictatorship: 0.3%
• Differences by political identity:
  • Bildu and Esquerra voters value recognition of autonomy for regions.
  • Junts and PNV prioritize guarantee of liberty.

5. Appetite for Reform and Areas of Focus

• Overwhelming desire for reform:
  • 84% say it should be changed.
  • 56% want significant reforms; 27% want minor changes; 16% believe no reform is needed.
  • Quote:
    • “¿Hay que reformarla? El 84% dice que sí ... sólo el 16% dice que no necesita reformas.” – Ignacio Urquizu (05:15)
  • Most resistant: Partido Popular and Vox voters
  • Most moderate: PNV voters
• Preferred areas for reform:
  • Social, economic, and labor rights: 30%
  • State model/territorial questions: <14%
  • Transparency and governmental oversight: 11%

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “¿Sabéis que es admirable que una persona responda con sinceridad las preguntas de esta encuesta?”
  Carlos, on participants’ honesty in sensitive surveys (01:30)

• “El 50 de los españoles no sabían que este mes de febrero nuestra Constitución se convertía en la más longeva.”
  Ignacio Urquizu, highlighting lack of public knowledge (02:07)

• “En realidad no llegó al 33% que supo situar la Constitución española en 1978.”
  Ignacio Urquizu discussing widespread confusion about the year of adoption (03:33)

• “Han perdido algo de esperanza en que pueda resolver estos problemas actuales. El 58 por ciento dice que tiene poca o ninguna confianza en que sirva para resolverlos.”
  Ignacio Urquizu on confidence in the Constitution’s capacity to solve current issues (04:33)

• “¿Hay que reformarla? El 84% dice que sí ... sólo el 16% dice que no necesita reformas.”
  Ignacio Urquizu reporting on the popular appetite for constitutional reform (05:15)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–01:40 – Lighthearted banter, previous survey anecdotes
• 01:46–02:35 – Constitution’s longevity, basic facts
• 02:36–03:44 – Historic and recent survey data on constitutional knowledge
• 03:45–04:33 – Political/party trends in knowledge and opinion
• 04:34–05:45 – Present-day perceptions, importance, appetite for reform

Conclusion

Despite the Spanish Constitution’s status as a cornerstone of the modern democratic state and its historical longevity, public knowledge about its origins and content remains surprisingly low. While most Spaniards value its role in guaranteeing freedoms and social rights, confidence in its ability to tackle today’s challenges has waned. The majority desire significant reform, though consensus on what to change is lacking and varies along political lines. The future of the Constitution, therefore, appears to rest on increasing public engagement and building consensus on reform priorities.