Podcast Summary – Más de uno (Onda Cero)

Episode: "Tertulia: Sánchez sigue adelante"

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Carlos Alsina
Panelists: María Daván, Antonio Casado, Paco Marhuenda, Marta García, Rubén Amón

1. Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on the political turbulence surrounding Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, set against the backdrop of upcoming regional elections in Extremadura. The panel dissects Sánchez's recent annual press conference—marked by tone-deafness and lack of self-criticism amid major scandals—and explores political fallout, media narratives, and the state of the PSOE's alliances. The conversation also highlights broader issues in Spanish politics, such as societal polarization, corruption, party dynamics, and the evolving language of public debate.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

a. Context: Elections, Campaigns, and Political Imagery (00:03–01:28)

• Carlos Alsina opens the show with wry commentary on electoral campaign stunts: María Guardiola (PP) photographed with sheep rather than engaging in debates, illustrating politicians’ distance from scrutiny.

  • “La ventaja de las ovejas es que ni te hacen preguntas ni debaten contigo.” (00:20)

• The latest poll shows PP surging in Extremadura, with PSOE trailing by about 10 seats. Socialist candidate Miguel Ángel Gallardo claims belief in “el voto oculto.”

• Shift to main focus: Pedro Sánchez’s appearance in all major press coverage following his early annual press conference.

b. Media Reactions & Press Conference Analysis (01:28–12:12)

• Sánchez advanced his year-end press conference reportedly to clear his schedule for early holidays.

• Multiple columnists paint a bleak portrait:

  • Sánchez seen as disconnected, self-congratulatory, and defensive amid mounting scandals (citing Sánchez Cuenca, Jordi Juan, Enric Juliana, Sergi Pámies, Antonio Lucas, Ignacio Camacho, Cuartango, Martí Blanc, Ignacio Varela, Sáenz Ugarte, among others—(02:30–07:30)).
  • “El reguero de escándalos es demoledor para el Gobierno y el PSOE.” – Extract from Ignacio Sánchez Cuenca (03:10)
  • “Pedro Sánchez ha perdido el control de su propia crisis. Ya no es ¿qué hará Sánchez? sino ¿qué harán con Sánchez?” – Ignacio Varela (06:32)

• Highlights of Sánchez’s presser:

  • Announces new transport pass and public sector salary hike, but journalists press him on corruption and harassment cases.
  • Notably, when asked for self-criticism, he shifts blame to Feijóo, invoking the “Marcial Dorado” case—a repeated rhetorical trope.
  • Sánchez displays visible frustration (the “bostezo” or yawn becomes a recurring metaphor for malaise).

c. Corruption Scandals & Government Exhaustion (20:19–28:44)

• Multiple scandals are discussed— from party placements of loyalists, such as Leyre (nicknamed "la fontanera"), to questionable deals in public corporations like Correos.
  • Latest El País poll: 2 of 3 Spaniards argued about politics last Christmas; 14% broke ties with friends/family over politics, showing polarization.
• Ayuso’s statement against “tibieza” (lukewarmness) and ensuing humor: being “tibio” (tepid) isn’t fashionable in Spanish politics.
• Panelists agree that Sánchez appears increasingly isolated from reality, either unable or unwilling to confront the depth of the crisis enveloping his party.
  • Paco Marhuenda: “Yo lo vi como en Goodbye Lenin, que tú vives aislado y entonces eres como la madre que cree que vive en la República Democrática Alemana…” (28:44)

d. Dissecting the Annual Balance—Is Sánchez Out of Touch? (28:44–42:50)

• Debate over whether Sánchez is in denial or playing for time, with several analogies: Goodbye Lenin, Borges’ “El Aleph”, car without gasoline.
• Government's narrative is seen as increasingly at odds with both internal unrest and external criticism.
  • “Un gobierno que funciona como un coche sin gasolina, y esto no lo digo yo, lo dijo él.” – Antonio Casado (31:35)
• Sánchez’s personal and political state is described as “acabar” (finished)—tired, physically drained, battered by scandal and internal conflict.
• The “bostezo de Sánchez” (Sánchez’s yawn) is identified as a symbol of exhaustion, disengagement, and the public’s own fatigue.

e. Scandal over Handling of Harassment and Corruption Cases (42:50–51:23)

• Consensus: Sánchez’s justifications for not knowing of misconduct in his circle lack credibility. The analogy with the PP and Marcial Dorado is seen as false equivalence.
  • “Es muy difícil que resulte creíble a las bases del partido [...] está generando una decepción que cambia mucho el estado de ánimo.” – Rubén Amón (38:02)
• Feminist backlash: Socialist feminists protest the mishandling of sexual harassment protocols.
• Sánchez accused of weaponizing feminist credentials for deflection while failing to address substance.
• Media question: If funding irregularity emerges, would Sánchez's line of defense (“no sabía nada”) still hold weight?

f. Crisis Among Government Partners & The "Rufián Dilemma" (Eskerra, Sumar, etc.) (44:34–54:56)

• Rufián’s shifting attitudes: From hardline challenger to “tibio,” to now expressing “vergüenza” (embarrassment) for his government association.
  • “Muchos de nosotros y de nosotras no queremos seguir pasando vergüenza como estamos pasando cada día.” – (44:49)
• Panel debates whether coalition partners have any real incentive to trigger elections—none want to risk losing power, even if association with Sánchez becomes electorally toxic.
• Sumar’s and ERC’s indignation is called “teatro, teatro y más teatro” by Marhuenda (53:20), though others sense real cracks emerging.
• If the “costo vergüenza” (shame cost) for supporting Sánchez outweighs political gains, an exodus may follow.

g. Decline within PSOE and Zapatero Analogy (54:56–60:54)

• Reference to the party’s dormant internal debate—could resurface if more losses mount, especially in Extremadura.
• Likening current moment to Zapatero’s decline: initial denials, internal revolt, leading to party repudiation post-power.
• “El día que caiga Sánchez, todos los sanchistas más significados van a tener dificultades para mantener la posición…” – Alsina (59:23)

h. Language Changes and Societal Commentary (15:27–24:46; 67:57–69:43)

• Lighthearted interlude on neologisms added to the dictionary (“hashtag”, “comecocos”, “crudivorismo”, etc.).
• Extended reflection on political polarization and the stigmatization of moderation—Ayuso versus the “tibios”.
  • Marta García: “La cruzada contra los tibios delata un miedo ambiental… el tibio, o sea, el alcino, recuerda algo insoportable para la política del estrépito. Que no todo desacuerdo exige guerra.” (67:57)

i. Extremadura Elections: Preview and National Implications (62:41–66:53)

• Panel agrees: Extremadura is a crucial barometer for Sánchez and the PSOE. A PP landslide could further demoralize the Socialists and embolden the opposition.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carlos Alsina (on politicians avoiding debates):
  “La ventaja de las ovejas es que ni te hacen preguntas ni debaten contigo.” (00:20)
• Rubén Amón (on public mood and scandals):
  “Es que a tu lado también me va mal… El manual de resistencia que construye la figura de Sánchez no está pensada para un entorno en descomposición.” (54:02)
• Antonio Casado (on the symbolism of Sánchez’s yawn):
  “El bostezo de Sánchez es tremendo. Ahí está todo. Está como en la LEP de Borges, ahí está todo. Ahí está la impotencia de Sánchez porque ya no le creen.” (31:35)
• Paco Marhuenda (on isolation):
  “Yo lo vi como en Goodbye Lenin… él vive como o vive aislado de la realidad o cree que nosotros vivimos aislado de la realidad.” (28:44)
• Marta García (on “tibieza” & social climate):
  “La cruzada contra los tibios delata un miedo ambiental… el tibio, o sea, el alcino, recuerda algo insoportable para la política del estrépito. Que no todo desacuerdo exige guerra.” (67:57)
• María Daván (on PSOE strategy):
  “Si estás aislado de la realidad es normal que tomes decisiones erráticas… y gestión deficiente de tu maquinaria de poder.” (56:21)

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:03] – Episode/context, Extremadura campaign, PPPoll update, “voto oculto”
• [01:24] – First reactions to annual Sánchez presser, press narrative round-up
• [06:32] – Sánchez Cuenca & other op-eds on political crisis
• [20:19] – Corruption/harassment scandals; polarization in society
• [28:44] – Panel’s initial verdict: “Goodbye Lenin” analogy, government’s disconnection
• [31:35] – “El bostezo de Sánchez es tremendo…” symbol analysis
• [38:02] – Handling of party corruption/feminism as a “coartada”
• [42:50] – Sánchez’s excuses unravel; focus on PSOE’s difficulty with accountability
• [44:34] – “Rufián Dilemma”; crisis among government allies
• [54:56] – Inner crisis in PSOE, Zapatero precedent, anticipatory talk of Sánchez’s political demise
• [56:21] – The consequences of isolation from reality for political strategy
• [62:41] – Importance of Extremadura election as national bellwether
• [67:57] – Editorial reflection on the attack on moderates/the “tibio” in politics

5. Tone & Language

The episode is characterized by acerbic wit, ironic detachment, and a certain weariness—mirroring the public’s and panel’s exhaustion with mounting political drama. Humor, sarcasm, and vivid metaphors abound (“bostezo”, “Goodbye Lenin”, “el alcino”), with sharp interplay among the guests and a focus on both substance and the performative side of politics.

6. Wrap-Up

This “Más de uno” tertulia offers a rich, critical, and irreverent portrait of Spain’s political mood on the eve of pivotal regional elections and at a moment of grave instability for Pedro Sánchez’s government. The dialogue threads media narratives, personal character, internal party dynamics, and shifting alliances, all filtered through the panel’s seasoned, skeptical, and sometimes playful gaze. For listeners seeking to understand why Sánchez’s “resistance manual” may no longer suffice—and what that means for the coming months—this episode is an indispensable guide.