Podcast Summary: Más de uno — "Tertulia: Falta de acuerdo parlamentario en la regularización de migrantes"

Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on the Spanish government's announcement of an extraordinary regularization process for migrants living in irregular situations. The panel delves into the political maneuvering that led to the decree, reflects on the social and economic implications, debates the supposed “effecto llamada” (pull effect), and discusses the lack of parliamentary consensus behind the move.
Additional discussions include a brief review of current press coverage, electoral politics in Aragón, and the intersection of Church, politics, and migration.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Press Overview & Political Context

• Decree for Migrant Regularization: The government (PSOE) announces an extraordinary regularization of migrants, affecting an estimated 500,000–800,000 people. The move emerges from negotiations with Podemos, not through parliamentary agreement.
  • Alsina questions (00:17) the actual input of Podemos and suggests this initiative may be more about keeping Podemos in the government’s orbit than solely addressing migrants’ needs.
  • Quote: "No sabrán qué aporta Podemos a este acuerdo... si pudiendo haber hecho esto mismo por decreto... no será que lo ha tenido congelado ahí como una baza para poder negociar algo con Podemos..." (A, 00:17)
• Press Reaction: El País celebrates the measure, while other major dailies focus on political maneuvering and criticize the sidelining of parliament.
• Opposition Critique: Some opinion pieces accuse Sánchez of distraction tactics amid other crises (e.g., train accident deaths), referencing Feijóo's “cortina de humo” (smokescreen) remarks.
  • Quote: "Regularizar inmigrantes por decreto es inadmisible... Sánchez recurre al ‘Papeles para todos’ en plena crisis..." (A, 02:41)

2. Interview with Xavier Parra (Red de Entidades para el Desarrollo Solidario)

• Background: Parra represents a religious social network that helped spearhead the Iniciativa Legislativa Popular (ILP) for regularization, gathering 600,000 signatures.
• Preference for Parliamentary Accord:
  • Quote: "Para nosotros... siempre hemos defendido... que esto saliera por acuerdo parlamentario." (C, 17:06)
• Parliamentary Deadlock: Parra recounts how initial cross-party support, including the PP, evaporated due to political distrust and broader government crises.
  • Quote: "La política lamentablemente a veces es juego de trileros." (C, 18:32)
• Rejection of 'Effecto Llamada':
  • Quote: "El efecto llamada era una mera ocurrencia, era un bulo... Se ha desmontado en infinidad de ocasiones." (C, 20:28)
• Regularization's Target Population: Stresses these are people already living and working in Spain, often in precarious conditions—this is not a pull for new arrivals.

3. Tertulia (Panel Discussion): Debating the Regularization

a. Political Motivation vs. Humanitarian Need

• Paco Marhuenda (H): Skeptical of the government's motives, seeing electoral calculus:
  • Quote: "El hecho objetivo es que lo que se quiere cambiar es el mapa electoral... Es que es como de broma, de verdad." (H, 22:05)
• Panel Rebuttal (B, Marta, E—Pilar):
  • Clarifications: The regularization grants residency permits, not citizenship or voting rights (B, 23:56).
  • Most irregular migrants are Latin American, not sub-Saharan African, countering common image (B, 25:23).
  • Historical perspective: Spain, like other EU countries, has carried out similar processes multiple times since the 1990s.

b. Economic & Social Arguments

• Marta (B): Emphasizes this policy brings people out of "bureaucratic limbo" and benefits the state (tax/cotization).
  • Quote: "Se va a aumentar... personas que están trabajando en negro y que van a poder cotizar." (B, 26:08)
• Chema Crespo (G): Opposes the term "regularización masiva" as dehumanizing. Stresses the reality and contribution of migrants.
  • Quote: "Aquí se regulariza de uno en uno, de persona a persona... Son seres humanos..." (G, 29:11)

c. Political Contradictions

• Rubén Amón (I): Notes the PP previously supported the initiative and now opposes it for political reasons.
  • Quote: "La derecha suscribió esta regularización hace un año y medio." (I, 26:15)

d. Risks & Critiques

• Concerns about future integration and public service costs were raised (H), met with counterarguments (E, G) stressing the need for orderly and humane processes.

4. Interview with Jorge Azcón (President of Aragón, PP) — [36:27–62:48]

• Highlights:
  • Refuses to say how many irregular migrants live in Aragón, emphasizing services are already provided to all who need them (D, 45:04, 60:59).
  • Opposes “parches” (patches) and supports comprehensive immigration reform via parliamentary law (D, 45:35; 46:42).
  • Argues the regularization is driven by Sánchez’s need for political support rather than true humanitarian or economic needs (D, 45:35, 47:22).
  • Integration & Language: Advocates requiring Spanish proficiency for residency, comparing to other countries; hosts counter that regularization’s legal requirements do not include such a stipulation (D, 48:00; A, 47:45).
  • Economic Perspective: Asserts that real solution for depopulation is economic prosperity and investment, not simply increased migration (D, 55:39).
  • Relations with Vox: Reiterates need for coalition-building in absence of PP majorities, but prefers PP-only governance (D, 57:07–59:42).

5. The Role of the Church & Political Transversality

• Marhuenda (H) vs. Parra (C):
  • H accuses Church-linked organizations of leftist colonization; Parra insists the ILP for regularization had cross-ideological, broad ecclesial support (H, 66:00; C, 64:22).
  • Quote (Parra): "Hay acuerdos que van mucho más allá de los dimes y diretes que construyen la política. Me gustaría reivindicarlo..." (C, 64:22)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Alsina on Political Bargaining: “No sabrán qué aporta Podemos a este acuerdo...” — A, 00:17
• Parra on Parliamentary Failure: “La política lamentablemente a veces es juego de trileros.” — C, 18:32
• Parra on “Effecto Llamada”: “El efecto llamada era una mera ocurrencia, era un bulo...” — C, 20:28
• Marhuenda on Motives: “El hecho objetivo es que lo que se quiere cambiar es el mapa electoral.” — H, 22:05
• Marta on Economic Integration: “Se va a aumentar... personas que están trabajando en negro y que van a poder cotizar.” — B, 26:08
• Crespo on Dignity: “Aquí se regulariza de uno en uno, de persona a persona.” — G, 29:11
• Azcón on Law vs. Patches: “Yo soy partidario de que la ley se modifique... no de parches.” — D, 45:35
• Parra on Transversality: “Esto ha sido apoyado ampliamente por la Iglesia... hay acuerdos que van mucho más allá de los dimes y diretes...” — C, 64:22

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:17] – Press round-up, framing the political context behind the migrant regularization.
• [15:32–21:48] – Interview with Xavier Parra (Redes) on the ILP and faith sector’s role.
• [22:05–33:00] – Panel debate on regularization, “effecto llamada,” electoral politics, voter myths.
• [36:27–62:48] – Interview with Jorge Azcón (PP, Aragón): regional implications, political alliances, and detailed stance on migration and public services.
• [64:12–67:00] – Final exchange between Marhuenda and Parra about the Church, ideology, and social doctrine.

Tone & Style

The tone oscillates between analytical, combative, and sometimes humorous, reflecting the typical dynamics of a Spanish tertulia. Listeners are exposed to robust partisan debate interspersed with deeply human perspectives from activist and faith-based advocacy. The host maintains a balance, allowing for clarification of myths and ensuring all sides are heard.

Useful Recap

This episode is crucial listening for understanding the state of Spain’s migration debate in early 2026.
It reveals:

• Deep divides between political parties and within the press.
• The role of NGOs, religious organizations, and citizen initiatives in shaping legislative agendas.
• Persistent myths about migration and demographic realities.
• Broader questions about what it means to belong and contribute to Spanish society.

Listeners come away with both the emotional resonance of the stories involved and the complexities surrounding the legislative process, all set against a backdrop of looming elections and shifting political coalitions.