Podcast Summary: Más de uno – Tertulia: "Pablo Iglesias toca las narices"

Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Episode Date: 7 April 2026

Overview

This episode of "Más de uno" features Carlos Alsina and a panel of regular contributors discussing the main political stories dominating the Spanish and international news cycle. The tertulia covers the historic Artemis II lunar mission, the escalating geopolitical crisis with the US and Iran, ongoing Spanish corruption trials ("Caso Mascarillas" and "Operación Kitchen"), and the inner turmoil on the Spanish left, with a focus on Pablo Iglesias’ disillusionment with Podemos' role in recent Andalusian election coalitions. As always, the panel combines political insight with a characteristic dose of sharp humor and intergenerational banter.

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. The Artemis II Lunar Mission and the Politics of Space (00:06–28:27)

• Media Frenzy Over the Artemis II Mission

• The episode opens with analysis of the Artemis II mission, orbiting the Moon and producing spectacular photographs of its "hidden side."
• Alsina notes the newness of the mission is relative, since the "dark side of the Moon" was first photographed in 1959 (00:45).

• Donald Trump’s Involvement

• Trump was heavily present in the publicized call with the astronauts, asking for autographs – a rare gesture from him, which Alsina jokes is "the measure of proeza" for the former president (01:12).
• Quote: "Para Trump, la medida de la proeza de alguien es que él le pida un autógrafo" – Carlos Alsina (01:12).

• Generational Takes and Technological Advances

• Panelists argue about whether this mission is truly a "milestone," given that key technical advances (like live video streaming) are more about Earth-based technology than space exploration per se (18:49–27:00).

• Notable back-and-forth:

  • Marta García is moved by the live aspect:
    • "A mí me ha conmovido especialmente poder ver la vida cotidiana de los astronautas en tiempo real." (18:49)
  • Alsina pushes back:
    • "La novedad es el streaming en la Tierra, no en la misión espacial." (19:01)
  • Cardero suggests the political context is more important than the technological:
    • "La continuación de aquello es más político que tecnológico... el retorno del imperialismo." (23:33)

• Rubén Amón points out the huge reduction in NASA's budget under Trump, which contrasts sharply with Trump's rhetorical ownership of the mission (17:00).

• Reflection on Past and Present

• Alsina, always ironic: "En 60 años, el avance es que hay streaming. Eso quiere decir que hay streaming en la Tierra." (23:22)
• The group mock-seriously debates whether these are authentic milestones or media fabrications.
• Memorable moment:
  • Marta insists:
    • "Carlos, que no lo quiere reconocer, pero es la primera vez que lo vemos en streaming." (25:13)

2. The US-Iran Crisis: Trump’s Ultimatums and Geopolitics (31:52–48:05)

• Trump’s Rhetoric and the Rising Stakes

• Marta García and others express alarm at Trump's overt threats to "exterminate" Iran:
  • "Ayer amenazó con exterminar un país, lo dijo tal cual, que podría hacerlo en una noche." – Marta García (31:54)
• Discussion revolves around Trump's unpredictability and the surreal fact that markets still react to his pronouncements, despite them being often contradictory (32:53–34:46).

• Popularity, Domestic Politics, and the Dilemma of Power

• Panelists assess Trump's declining popularity (from 47% to 36% approval), the contradiction between his non-interventionist campaign and current war escalation, and US voters' skepticism about foreign entanglements (37:16–38:03).

• Rubén Amón provides the numbers:

  • "El 61% de los estadounidenses desaprueban la guerra." (37:16)

• Velasco articulates the diplomatic chaos:

  • "Vuela por los aires toda la diplomacia, ataca a todos sus aliados. Es imposible que nadie le pueda seguir en esta guerra sin control." (38:03)

• Broader Reflections on International Law and Double Standards

• Cardero raises the point of selective compliance with international law — that nations invoke it when it suits their interests (42:13–43:25).
• Marhuenda asserts: “Estados Unidos es una democracia en situación precaria. Hombre, de verdad, ¿cómo podéis decir eso?" (44:12)
• The segment is characterized by lively disagreement, yet recognition that neither side of current conflicts stands on wholly moral ground.

3. Spanish Corruption Trials: Caso Mascarillas & Operación Kitchen (49:19–60:58)

• Live from the Tribunal Supremo: Caso Mascarillas

• Eva Llamazares reports updates as the much-awaited trial against Ábalos, Coldo, and Aldama begins (49:19–53:39).
• The trial focuses on the distribution of €36 million in COVID-era mask contracts, with substantial evidence expected from banking records, WhatsApp messages, and especially “the repentant,” Aldama.

• Justice Delayed, Justice Denied?

• Ignacio Cardero notes the contrasting speed between this trial (2 years from arrest to trial) and others like Kitchen (over a decade), arguing this swath of legal battles will dominate Sánchez’s agenda (54:36).

• Pilar Velasco:

  • "Es justicia de baja intensidad cuando llega más de una década después, o al menos de baja calidad." (57:24)

• Kitchen’s impact is debated:

  • Velasco finds it potentially more serious even than Gürtel, as it involves an abuse of state apparatus itself (58:33).

4. Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, and the Crisis of the Spanish Left (05:40, 64:59–68:20)

• Pablo Iglesias’ Return and His Critique

• Iglesias is “disillusioned” — in his view, the left has lost its way and the process for selecting candidates lacks legitimacy (05:40, 64:59).

• Quote:

  • "Yo creo que ahora mismo hay una inmensa desilusión en la gente de izquierdas. ¿Quién ha votado a Maíllo para ser el candidato? Nadie." – Pablo Iglesias (05:40 / 64:59)

• The panel ridicules the irony that Iglesias, once criticized for top-down leadership, now decries the lack of grassroots process in Podemos alliances (65:47).

• The Strategic Dilemma and Erosion of Podemos

• Velasco and Cardero note that leftist coalitions have been badly managed, and Podemos' late entry into the Andalusian coalition will likely guarantee them no seats (66:49–68:27).
• Panel reflection:
  • "A lo mejor [Iglesias] tiene razón... pero que lo diga él, que esto lo inventaste tú..." – Marta García (68:06)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Trump’s Autograph Ritual:
  • "Para Trump, la medida de la proeza de alguien es que él le pida un autógrafo." – Carlos Alsina (01:12)
• On streaming the Artemis II mission:
  • "La novedad es el streaming en la Tierra, no en la misión espacial." – Carlos Alsina (19:01)
  • "Es la primera vez que la vemos en streaming, Carlos, que no lo quiere reconocer." – Marta García (25:13)
• On US-Iran tensions:
  • "Ayer amenazó con exterminar un país, lo dijo tal cual, que podría hacerlo en una noche." – Marta García (31:54)
  • "El 61% de los estadounidenses desaprueban la guerra." – Rubén Amón (37:16)
• On justice and historic memory:
  • "Es justicia de baja intensidad cuando llega más de una década después, o al menos de baja calidad." – Pilar Velasco (57:24)
• On Pablo Iglesias and Podemos:
  • "Yo creo que ahora mismo hay una inmensa desilusión en la gente de izquierdas. ¿Quién ha votado a Maíllo para ser el candidato? Nadie." – Pablo Iglesias (05:40)

Important Timestamps

• [00:06]–[28:27]: Artemis II, the Moon, and political symbolism
• [31:52]–[48:05]: US-Iran war, Trump's rhetoric, international reaction
• [49:19]–[60:58]: Spanish corruption trials, justice system critique
• [64:59]–[68:20]: Pablo Iglesias, Podemos, and leftist disillusionment

Tone and Style

The conversation is witty, combative, and often ironic, especially when challenging generational myths or dissecting political hypocrisy. The panelists' banter balances solemn analysis of global crises with sardonic humor, ensuring accessibility while not sacrificing depth.

Conclusion

This was a dense episode rich in political analysis and critical of both national and international leaders. The Artemis II mission is used both as a metaphor for media-driven milestones and as a case study in political appropriation. The US-Iran conflict is viewed through cynicism and alarm, foregrounding the dangerous volatility of Trump's leadership. Spanish judicial affairs serve to highlight the failings and the politics of justice. Finally, the left's tribulations, as embodied by Pablo Iglesias, offer a closing reflection on leadership and the shifting nature of disillusionment.

For more, listeners are encouraged to check in for updates on the trial summaries and to follow the continuing coverage of international crises and Spanish politics on Más de uno.