Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – “Acontece que no es poco: 1 de diciembre de 1854 – El Congreso aprueba una comisión de investigación a María Cristina de Borbón”
Host: Nieves Concostrina (with Carlos)
Date: December 16, 2024
Duration: ~17 minutes
Source: SER Podcast
Overview of the Episode
This episode, true to the irreverent and incisive style of Nieves Concostrina, explores the theme of constitutional corruption, royal immunity, and historical accountability through the lens of Spain's royal family. Using the historical case of María Cristina de Borbón's 1854 parliamentary investigation, Concostrina draws sharp parallels with modern-day Spain and its treatment of Juan Carlos I, focusing on the institutional mechanisms (and failures) meant to hold the monarchy accountable.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Constitutions, Royal Immunity, and Accountability
- Connecting Past and Present: The episode opens by juxtaposing current celebrations of the Spanish Constitution with historical episodes, questioning the real substance of these festivities given Spain's track record with royal accountability.
- Quote [01:23, Nieves]: “Nos vamos a ir al año 1854... por nuestra grandérrima Constitución del 78, a la que podríamos llamar la Intocable.”
- Royal Inviolability: Concostrina details how every Spanish constitution has protected the monarch from legal consequences, allowing criminal behavior to go unpunished.
- Quote [04:20, Nieves]: “El PP y el PSOE han protegido 15 veces al delincuente agarrándose a la Constitución... Felipe VI, igual que hizo su padre ... podría estar robándonos todo lo que quisiera ahora mismo porque no le pasaría nada.”
2. Juan Carlos I’s Multiple Vetoed Investigations
- Modern Political Context: Since 2016, 15 attempts to create a parliamentary commission to investigate Juan Carlos I’s alleged crimes have been blocked by Spain’s major parties.
- Quote [02:18, Nieves]: “El 25 de agosto de 2021, la Mesa del Congreso... tumbó por 15ª vez... la creación de una comisión de investigación parlamentaria sobre las irregularidades cometidas por Juan Carlos de Borbón.”
- Public Outrage & Political Cynicism: Nieves is sharply critical of the PSOE and PP protecting the ex-king, implying deep-seated complicity and betrayal of public trust.
- Quote [02:52, Nieves]: “Esta traición a los ciudadanos socialistas y populares ha propiciado que un delincuente se pasee cuando y como le dé la gana por este país, restregándonos su buena vida.”
3. Historical Precedent: María Cristina de Borbón (1854)
- Investigation Approved by Unanimity: In stark contrast to today, a unanimous parliamentary commission was formed in 1854 to investigate significant irregularities by the ex-queen and regent.
- Quote [03:32, Nieves]: “El 1 de diciembre de 1854, el Congreso... aprobó por unanimidad abrir una comisión de investigación parlamentaria sobre las irregularidades cometidas por María Cristina de Borbón.”
- Commission’s Focus: The four main points investigated were:
- Influence peddling in construction and resources
- Irregularities from her (secret) second marriage affecting her regency
- Management of the inheritance from Fernando VII
- Financial participation in various economic enterprises
- Quote [07:38, Nieves]:
“Esos cuatro puntos fueron: uno, el tráfico de influencias en construcción y gestión de recursos. Dos, la crisis provocada por las irregularidades de su segundo matrimonio… Tres, la gestión de la herencia... y cuatro... la participación e intervención en distintas empresas económicas.”
4. Comparison: Then and Now
- Why Was It Possible Then, Not Now?
- Host Carlos reflects: “En el mismo contexto, frente a las mismas circunstancias, lo que fue posible hace casi dos siglos, actualmente no lo es…” [03:58]
- Nieves underscores the change: “La última vez fue en pleno agosto. Es que es un poquito escandaloso esto… Porque sabemos la excusa que han puesto para protegerlo. La Constitución. Evidentemente.” [04:20]
- Constitutions and Legal Loopholes:
- The inviolability of the monarch remains consistent across constitutions, but only the ministers, not the monarch, were previously held responsible.
- Quote [06:33, Nieves]: “En todas las constituciones desde 1812 hasta la de 1876 se protege al rey y se responsabiliza a los ministros. En la de 1978... quitaron la frasecita de la responsabilidad de los ministros.”
- The inviolability of the monarch remains consistent across constitutions, but only the ministers, not the monarch, were previously held responsible.
5. Escape vs. Exile – Royal “Punishments”
- María Cristina versus Juan Carlos:
- María Cristina was forcibly exiled and prohibited from returning, whereas Juan Carlos left voluntarily and freely returns.
- Quote [09:02, Nieves]: “Con una gran diferencia. Juan Carlos de Borbón huyó como un conejo. Cristina de Borbón había sido expulsada, desterrada meses antes…”
6. Gender Perspective and Royal Corruption
- Discusses the different social reception of corruption by a queen versus a king, referencing academic studies.
- Quote [13:28, Nieves]: “...la corrupción consumada por una mujer era descrita como un acto deshonroso e indecoroso... mientras la denuncia de la corrupción cometida por parte de varones se percibía como una actuación que lesionaba la caballerosidad de bolsillo.”
7. Ecuador Intrigue
- The commission discovered failed plans by María Cristina to place one of her sons as king of Ecuador, using Spanish resources and military—highlighting the dynasty’s audacity.
- Quote [13:13, Nieves]: “El intento de Cristina de Borbón y su marido de colocar a uno de sus hijos como rey de Ecuador. Utilizando recursos de España y tropas del ejército español para tomar el poder por la fuerza.”
8. Cynical Closure and Ongoing Impunity
- Whether in 1854 or now, parliamentary investigations do little, as the Congress is not a court and the monarchy stays above the law.
- Quote [10:02, Nieves]: “El Congreso no es un tribunal. Los diputados no son jueces... la comisión no sirvió para nada. Ni entonces ni hubiera servido ahora.”
- Citizens’ rights remain unprotected while the King and his progeny vow to uphold a Constitution they are exempt from.
- Quote [10:56, Nieves]: “Esos derechos constitucionales del ciudadano tienen que ver cómo están desasistidos, pero a la vez contemplan que Felipe y Leonor han jurado una Constitución de la que están al margen.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- On the Modern Spanish Constitution's Role in Royal Protection
- [01:39, Nieves]: “La Intocable fue sancionada por Juan Carlos de Borbón... con cinco delitos fiscales probados... y, fíjate, adulterio. Podríamos añadir.”
- On Persistent Parliamentary Impunity
- [04:20, Nieves]: “El PP y el PSOE han protegido 15 veces al delincuente agarrándose a la Constitución...”
- On Historical Gendered Corruption
- [13:28, Nieves]: “...la corrupción consumada por una mujer era descrita como un acto deshonroso e indecoroso...”
- On Spanish Naivety and Repeated Errors
- [12:27, Nieves]: “María Cristina los recuperó luego y continuó recibiendo una pensión de los españoles. Así de idiotas somos.”
- Sharp Satire on Monarchs’ Oaths
- [14:21, Nieves]: “Que es que no han parado de jurar constituciones y leyes que no cumplen porque no están sujetos a ella. Pero para qué juran nada, si da igual.”
- Anticipating Juan Carlos’s Next Taunt
- [02:55 & 14:55]: “Sólo falta de verdad que un día salude a las cámaras chupando una pata de centolla diciendo Que pacha. Hola, españoles...”
Important Timestamps
- 01:23 – Introduction to the 1854 historical episode, comparison with 1978 Constitution
- 02:00–02:52 – Discussion of the 15 failed attempts to investigate Juan Carlos I
- 03:32 – 1854 Congressional commission against María Cristina de Borbón
- 04:20–06:00 – Critique of current politicians using Constitutional inviolability as a shield
- 06:33 – Historical explanation of ministerial responsibility
- 07:38 – The four points of María Cristina’s investigation
- 09:02 – Contrast: Cristina’s exile vs. Juan Carlos’s impunity
- 10:02 – The ultimate impotence of parliamentary investigations
- 12:27 – On the return of confiscated property to María Cristina
- 13:13 – The Ecuador scheme
- 13:28 – The gendered analysis of royal corruption
Tone and Style
Nieves Concostrina adopts a sardonic, critical, and deeply ironic tone, balancing rigorous historical detail with cutting social commentary. Her language is direct and unapologetically political, laced with humor and exasperation as she confronts the persistence of impunity and the failings of both past and present institutions.
Summary Table of Main Parallels
| 1854 (María Cristina de Borbón) | 2021 – Present (Juan Carlos I) | |--------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Expelled from Spain by force | Leaves Spain voluntarily, returns freely | | Commission of investigation approved by Congress | 15 attempts at investigation blocked | | Monarch inviolable, ministers responsible | Monarch inviolable, ministers off the hook | | Investigated for corruption, mismanagement | Repeated allegations, zero investigations | | Assets confiscated—then returned, plus pension | Wealth and privileges largely intact | | Seen as a violation of gendered “decency” | Alleged crimes largely trivialized or ignored |
Conclusion
This episode of “Acontece que no es poco” offers a blistering, historically anchored critique of the Spanish monarchy’s impunity, robustly arguing that while much has changed on paper, the mechanisms to investigate or sanction royal crimes remain as toothless as ever. Through humor and indignation, Nieves Concostrina invites listeners to recognize the long, frustrating continuity of monarchical privilege—and the repeated complicity of Spain's political establishment.