Podcast Summary: "Repaso de la prensa diaria con Alsina"

Podcast: Más de uno – OndaCero
Host: Carlos Alsina
Date: December 15, 2025
Episode Theme:
A lively and insightful review of the morning’s newspapers, blending humorous commentary and sharp political analysis. Carlos Alsina guides listeners through the main news stories from Spain and abroad, focusing on politics, scandals, elections, and notable opinion columns.

Overview

Carlos Alsina kicks off the week — and the last leg of 2025 — with his signature mix of wit and journalism, walking listeners through key headlines from international and Spanish press. The episode touches on dramatic political shifts in Latin America, upcoming elections in Extremadura, the latest on political scandals shaking Spain, and ends with lighter notes on Christmas spirit and media anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. International: Chile Swings to the Far Right

• Election of José Antonio Kast:
  • Alsina comments on how Latin American politics are seeing a sharp turn to the right with Kast’s victory in Chile, joining Argentina’s Javier Milei as another far-right president ([00:18]).
  • Election results: Kast scored 58% over Jeanette Jara’s 42%, making him the most-voted president in Chilean history and winning even in 14 of 19 prisons — a rare detail in electoral reporting.
  • Alsina humorously notes, "Este dato no recuerdo que en España se haya dado nunca el escrutinio carcelario..." ([02:12]), reflecting on transparency and local differences.
  • The transition of power is noted for its cordial style: immediate contact and agreement between outgoing and incoming presidents.

2. Previewing Extremadura’s Upcoming Regional Elections

• Electoral forecasts:
  • Newspaper polls unanimously predict a defeat for PSOE and strong performance for PP.
  • Key data: PSOE set to drop from 28 to 22 seats, PP from 28 up to 30; no feasible leftist coalition ([04:35]).
  • Debate on leadership and blame assignment: "Pronostica Roberto Benito en este periódico que en el PSOE atribuirán la derrota... al Gallardo, al candidato, para no mirar así al Palacio de la Moncloa." ([06:20])
  • The right (especially PP leader Guardiola) is benefiting from confronting Vox, according to the press analysis.

3. Corruption and Political Scandals

• SEPI, Plus Ultra, and the Network of Favours:
  • Details emerge about Vicente Sepi Fernández and Leire’s involvement in an alleged network selling government favors, aided by public officials ([09:10]).
  • Notable method: Companies paid €7,000 per month + a 2% success fee, with shadowy contracting practices.
  • Intricate web: Multiple “Martínez” surnames appear in company records, linking business, public office, and political ties — Alsina jokes about the commonality of the surname in Spain ([11:50]).
  • One “Martínez Martínez” is highlighted as being doubly relevant (and doubly named) in the ongoing investigation, allegedly linked to ex-president Zapatero.

4. Internal Crisis in Vox: The Revuelta Youth Organization

• Vox’s leadership is suing their former youth group for fraud ([14:45]).
• La Razón and El Mundo expose leaked conversations revealing attempts to control the association, hide irregularities, and avoid internal scandal going public.

5. Church and State: Interview with the President of Spanish Bishops

• Monsignor Argüello: Calls for a motion of censure, a vote of confidence, or new elections, criticizing political blockade ([16:50]).
• The government rebuked him for political intervention, with Alsina quipping: "¿No intervenir en política dices Jesús? ¿Qué habría pensado Jesús que le prohibía alguien intervenir en política?" ([17:55])
• Touches on the recurring tension between religious leadership and government.

6. Opinion Columns & Reflections

• Tomás de la Quadra (El País): Argues the Supreme Court erred by dismissing that the prosecution faced calumny, not mere rumors (bulos) ([19:10]).
  • Alsina notes the ex-minister overlooks the prosecutor hiding involvement and only clarifying post-factum.
• Lighthearted Endings:
  • Highlights a photo of opposition leader Núñez Feijóo baking bread (“Feijóo haciendo pan”), which the press does not explain further — Alsina playfully notes the lack of explanation ([22:10]).
  • Praises Jordi Basté’s column on Madrid’s unapologetically joyful Christmas lights, contrasting with Barcelona’s more subdued approach ([23:05]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carlos Alsina, on Chile’s Election:

  "Otro país de América que gira a la derecha, bueno, a la derecha y más allá, o sea, a la extrema derecha... Es el presidente electo más votado de la historia de Chile, por tanto se impuso, por cierto, también... en las cárceles." ([00:22]–[02:13])

• On the Spanish Political Scene:

  "Sánchez insiste en continuar pese a los escándalos. Insiste en continuar. Suena a obstinación, a terquedad y pese a los escándalos suena a admitir que hay tantos escándalos que le afectan que igual sería razonable abandonar ya la obstinación..." ([08:10])

• On Church and Politics:

  "¿No intervenir en política dices Jesús? ¿Qué habría pensado Jesús que le prohibía alguien intervenir en política? Él que también intervino." ([17:55])

• On Corruption Investigations:

  "Resulta que hay otro Martínez que aparece hoy en los papeles. Éste está vinculado a otra compañía aérea rescatada, a plusultra, y además este es doblemente Martínez porque se apellida Martínez Martínez." ([12:10])

• On Christmas in Madrid vs. Barcelona:

  "Madrid en Navidad se toma muy en serio iluminarse y sin disculparse por emocionar. En la Puerta del Sol... hay un árbol orgulloso... el de la Plaza Sant Jaume está castigado en una esquina..." ([23:07])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:18] – Opening, Chile’s elections and political shift in Latin America
• [03:20] – Extremadura elections: newspaper polls and analysis
• [07:40] – PSOE, PP, and political blame games
• [09:10] – Corruption scandals: SEPI, Plus Ultra, Martínez connections
• [14:45] – Internal crisis in Vox and youth group Revuelta
• [16:50] – Spanish bishops’ political statement, government response
• [19:10] – Noteworthy editorial: Tomás de la Cuadra critiques Supreme Court
• [22:10] – Newspaper anecdotes: Feijóo baking bread
• [23:05] – Christmas lights: Madrid vs. Barcelona, by Jordi Basté

Conclusion

Carlos Alsina’s press review delivers a thorough, biting, and often humorous summary of the day’s top stories. He combines meticulous reporting with sharp wit, offering listeners a comprehensive picture of political maneuvers, scandals, and even seasonal reflections. This episode serves both as a catch-up and a critical window into Spanish and international current affairs.