Podcast Summary: Más de uno – Tertulia: Hacienda sigue con carné PSOE y sin Presupuestos

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

Overview

This episode of "Más de uno" is a vibrant, analytical, and sometimes humorous review of Spanish current events, focusing specifically on the government crisis following the appointment of Carlos Cuerpo as the new first Vice President and the broader implications for the PSOE, sanchismo, and the Spanish political landscape. The tertulia (discussion) involves regular contributors dissecting press coverage and offering their interpretations on the government reshuffle, the Noelia Castillo euthanasia case, Spain’s international stance under Pedro Sánchez, recent economic data, and even a lively discussion of the latest CIS survey on Spaniards’ sexual habits.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carlos Cuerpo’s Appointment and Government Reshuffle

(Begins ~13:26, revisited throughout episode)

• Two Interpretations of Cuerpo’s Rise:

  • Seen as either a triumph of technocracy over politics or as a pointed message from Sánchez to his party and coalition partners.
  • “Una apuesta por lo técnico sobre lo político. Y otra que es un recado que está enviando el presidente Sánchez.” (A, 03:33)

• Press Analysis & Spanish Political Chatter:

  • Various newspapers differ:
    • El Español sees a signal to PSOE and to coalition partners (Sumar, Junts): Sánchez is "above" the party.
    • ABC and El Mundo fixate on the abandonment of the “cremallera” (zipper parity rule) in ministerial appointments and highlight technocracy.
    • La Vanguardia notes both of Sánchez’s main vice presidents are high-level civil servants without party roots—“son de Sánchez, no del PSOE” (A, 07:48).

• Continuity at Hacienda:

  • Even as technocrats rise, the “Hacienda,” or Finance Ministry, remains in hands of a party member—“Digamos que este ministerio no se suelta, no lo sueltan en el partido.” (A, 06:10)

Notable Quotes

• “Hay un carisma en la falta de carisma. Quiero decir que en una época de hipertrofia política, la sosed puede ser revolucionaria.” (E, 11:04)
• “Cuerpo es una persona que tiene un perfil, que conecta con alguna gente o que puede por lo menos parecer alguien que transmite un mensaje con algo de credibilidad con alguna gente que no es estrictamente votante del Partido Socialista.” (F, 41:02)
• “Ha nacido una estrella.” (F, 52:42)

2. Noelia Castillo and the Euthanasia Debate

(Starts ~16:16, extensive segment until 33:33)

• Case Recap: Noelia Castillo, young woman granted euthanasia, with a lengthy legal battle due to her father’s opposition.

• Media Coverage and Criticism:

  • Critique of newspapers that complain about “espectacularización” (spectacularization) but devote pages to the story.
  • Debate on whether it was “necessary” or “appropriate” that Noelia gave a TV interview (A, 16:16 to 19:56).

• Perspectives on State’s Role and Law Guarantees:

  • Discussion about whether a judicial authority, not just a hospital committee, should oversee cases involving life and death rights.
  • “Para decidir sobre el destino de una vida humana, no interviene la autoridad judicial, interviene exclusivamente una comisión de garantías, lo cual me parece bastante cuestionable” (B, 22:23)

• On Christian Lawyers' Involvement:

  • Panel critiques the role of advocacy groups framing the case religiously and question their dominance in the media narrative.

Notable Quotes

• “¿Quién va a hablar del sufrimiento más que uno?... No tiene sentido que abogados cristianos sea quien haga uso del mensaje público.” (C, 20:43)
• “La garantía sobre el ciudadano tiene que ser la máxima. Y la máxima te la da la autoridad judicial.” (B, 25:56)
• “Cuando tú eres mayor de edad, tienes derecho a tomar tus propias decisiones, siempre que estén amparadas por la ley.” (A, 31:28)

3. Economic Update: Inflation and Challenges for the New Vice President

(Economic report at 34:50, discussion follows)

• Bad News for Cuerpo’s Debut:

  • Inflation jumps to 3.3% in March, highest since mid-2024, mainly driven by fuel prices and energy, linked to the war in Iran.
  • Host Alsina jokes that this is hardly an ideal “welcome” for Cuerpo in his new role.

• Political Implications:

  • Debate on whether Cuerpo is being positioned to give greater economic “credibility” amid global turbulence.
  • The panel notes a PR effort to highlight management and “business-friendly” credentials versus the more combative styles of other ministers (Oscar Puente, María Jesús Montero).

4. Spain’s International Stance & Pedro Sánchez in the Wall Street Journal

(Return to ~54:00)

• Sánchez’s International Profile:

  • The Wall Street Journal interview frames Sánchez as a new kind of socialist leader in Europe for his “Say No” strategy to Trump.
  • Some panelists view this as effective positioning; others worry about Spain being seen as a divider in Western alliances.

• Marketing & Substance:

  • Skepticism about Sánchez’s antimilitarist stance contrasted with ongoing defense spending and commercial relationships with the U.S. and Israel.

Notable Quotes

• “Le da la razón al presidente en cuanto que su postura antibelicista le está generando una imagen positiva en el exterior.” (B, 55:16)

5. Sex and Ideology: The Latest CIS Survey

(Begins in earnest at 63:16, lighthearted segment)

• Survey Details:

  • CIS poll asks Spaniards about their sexual habits and preferences, including the use of toys, open relationships, and more.
  • Table humor as the tertulianos speculate about links between ideology and sexual openness, referencing past surveys showing “los extremos disfrutan más”.

• Statistical Highlights (from the episode):

  • 12% admit to open relationships.
  • 44% have used sex toys.
  • Only 0.3% say media influenced their use of sex products.
  • Panel jokes about survey methodology and respondent honesty.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Government Analysis:

  • “En una época de hipertrofia política, la sosed puede ser revolucionaria.” (E, 11:04)
  • “Sánchez está en su proceso de radicalización. Tanta radicalización que ha dejado fuera de lugar a sus socios a la izquierda.” (D, 40:12)
  • “Ya tienes muchos ministros que son absolutamente agresivos y que son duros, duros, duros. Lo normal es que pongas a alguien con el perfil de Cuerpo.” (F, 42:31)

• On Euthanasia & Noelia Castillo:

  • “La garantía sobre el ciudadano tiene que ser la máxima. Y la máxima te la da la autoridad judicial.” (B, 25:56)
  • “¿Quién conoce los límites de la resistencia humana cuando uno quiere apagarse?” (C, 20:43)

• On Spanish Sex Life:

  • “La encuesta lo que no dice es pues los votantes del PP son más de utilizar...” (A, 61:54, joking about missing ideological breakdowns.)
  • “Al final los extremos disfrutan más.” (B, 66:27)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Carlos Cuerpo and Government Reshuffle: 03:33–12:20, 13:26–16:16, 39:41–53:36
• Noelia Castillo/Euthanasia Debate: 16:16–33:33
• Economic Update & Challenges: 34:50–41:09
• Wall Street Journal Interview/Sánchez International: 54:00–61:10
• CIS Sexual Habits Survey: 63:16–72:00

Conclusion

This episode offers a microcosm of contemporary Spanish media and political debate—by turns serious and sardonic, weaving in breaking news, ethical quandaries, partisan maneuvering, and the inevitable Spanish delight in discussing sex and surveys. Carlos Alsina and his tertulianos manage to dissect the ascent of Carlos Cuerpo, the existential issues surrounding euthanasia and state authority, the shifting international image of Spain, and the less somber insights into national intimacy and sexual mores—all while keeping a lively, relatable, and at times witty conversational tone.