Podcast Summary: "¿Desde cuándo está permitido prometer los cargos públicos?"

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina (with Carles)
Date: January 16, 2025
Episode: Acontece que no es poco | ¿Desde cuándo está permitido prometer los cargos públicos?

Overview

This engaging episode of "Acontece que no es poco" dives into the historical evolution and cultural significance of swearing (jurar) versus promising (prometer) in the context of assuming public office. Nieves Concostrina brings her signature wit and irreverence as she and Carles reflect on famous political oaths in Spain and the U.S.—from Adolfo Suárez’s “Puedo prometer y prometo” to the rituals (and absurdities) of U.S. presidential inaugurations—tying it to the upcoming second inauguration of Donald Trump.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Adolfo Suárez and the Power of "Prometer"

• 00:13 The episode opens with a reference to Adolfo Suárez’s iconic phrase during Spain’s transition: “Puedo prometer y prometo”—highlighted as an example of political language and symbolism.

Swearing vs. Promising: Why the Difference Matters

• 00:50 The conversation pivots to the act of swearing an oath versus making a promise upon taking office.
• Nieves humorously criticizes the logic of swearing on religious texts that espouse fantastical stories, underlining the absurdity of the whole ritual:

  "Si tú juras cumplir con la ley... sobre un libro que asegura que un tipo con barba y sin identificar creó hace seis mil años el planeta Tierra... Pues es que da igual lo que jures. Puede jurar lo que te dé la gana." (01:50)

The American Paradox: Swearing on the Bible

• 01:03 The context is the looming second inauguration of Donald Trump, who will again swear on the Bible—ironically, in the very place his supporters once assaulted.
• Nieves provides her irreverent view:

  “Trump jurará sobre la Biblia que no hará lo que ya juró que no iba a hacer y que al final hizo, o sea, esto es alucinante.” (01:50)

• Reflections on the symbolic and sometimes performative aspects of the oaths.

Spanish Law: When Did "Prometer" Become an Option?

• 03:27 Nieves traces back the legal equivalence of promising and swearing an oath to a 1910 law, reading from the original Gaceta de Madrid, under King Alfonso XIII:

  “En todos los casos en que las leyes exijan la prestación de juramento… podrá el requerido, si aquélla no es conforme a su conciencia, prometer por su honor. Esta promesa surtirá los mismos efectos que el juramento.” (03:46)

• The law was the result of efforts by then-Prime Minister José Canalejas, a practicing Catholic and active anticlerical, seeking to respect freedom of conscience.

Dictatorships & Exceptions

• 04:23 Nieves points out that legal advances like the 1910 law were rolled back under Franco, with both Alfonso XIII and Franco violating the substance of their own oaths.

  “Los juramentos que hicieron en medio de la necesidad no los observan los mezquinos cuando se han librado de ella.” (Citing Demócrito, paraphrased, 04:23)

Why Allow Promises?

• 05:24 The move to allow promising (instead of swearing) was spurred by the need to accommodate non-Catholics and non-believers, highlighting Spain’s gradual (and belated) steps toward religious tolerance.

Modern Restoration of the Right

• 06:38 After Franco, the legal equivalence was reaffirmed via a 1980 Supreme Court judgment, which stated:

  “…ha de interpretarse en el sentido de que el referido precepto admite, junto a la fórmula del juramento y con idéntica fuerza ha de obligar, la de la promesa prestada por quienes desean no jurar…” (06:59)

• Trivia:
  • First Spanish president to promise (not swear): Felipe González.
  • First president without any religious symbols at his promise: Pedro Sánchez (2018), after a protocol change by King Felipe VI in 2014.

U.S. Presidential Oaths: Tradition, Variation, and Superstition

• 09:12 Discussion shifts to the U.S.: Has any president promised rather than sworn?
  • Franklin Pierce (1853): Refused both the Bible and swearing, devastated after the tragic death of his children just before his inauguration.
  • Nieves notes the American Constitution does not actually require the use of a Bible.
  • Varied traditions: Lincoln’s Bible, personal Bibles, even law books (John Quincy Adams).
  • Some swore with Bibles closed; some chose specific (opened) passages (e.g., Bush opened at Isaiah 40:31; Reagan at 2 Chronicles 7:14; Carter at Micah 6:8).

Religious Affiliations and Political Posturing

• 12:34 Running commentary on denominational mix among presidents. Amusing speculation about what passage Kamala Harris might have chosen, given her family's interfaith background.

• 13:20 Nieves’ take on Trump’s faith:

  “Dependiendo del que tenga enfrente. A los evangelistas les dice que es evangelista. En una entrevista dijo que era presbiteriano…”

• A highlight from George Carlin (humorist), quoting his bit on the absurdities and contradictions of religious belief, tying back to the political use of religion:

  “La religión ha convencido a la gente de que hay un hombre invisible viviendo en el cielo...” (13:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the absurdity of oaths:

  “Puedes jurar lo que te dé la gana.” — Nieves (01:50)

• On the 1910 law's wording:

  “Prometer por su honor. Esta promesa surtirá los mismos efectos que el juramento.” (03:46)

• On Franco & Alfonso XIII:

  “Fueron dos perjuros.” — Nieves (04:00)

• On Spanish secularism:

  “Pedro Sánchez no quitó nada. El protocolo lo cambió Su Católica Majestad Felipe VI en 2014.” — Nieves (08:13)

• On American presidential oaths:

  “La Constitución de Estados Unidos no requiere la Biblia para nada. Pero como la utilizó George Washington... la mayoría la utiliza, aunque luego se la pasen por el Arco del Triunfo...” — Nieves (09:26)

• George Carlin on religion:

  “La religión ha convencido a la gente de que hay un hombre invisible viviendo en el cielo quien observa todo lo que haces cada minuto de cada día...” (13:24)

• On Trump’s faith:

  “Dependiendo del que tenga enfrente.” — Nieves (13:20)

• Closing:

  “Porque a nosotros ya no hay Dios que nos salve.” — Nieves (14:41)

Key Timestamps

• 00:13 – Introduction to Suárez, "puedo prometer y prometo".
• 01:03 – Discussion of Trump's upcoming inauguration.
• 03:16 – Start of the Spanish legal history of promising vs. swearing.
• 05:20 – Discussion about why promising was legalized.
• 06:38 – Post-Franco era: legal restoration & Supreme Court ruling.
• 08:13 – Modern practices: Felipe González, Pedro Sánchez, protocols.
• 09:08 – U.S. traditions: Notable presidential oath exceptions.
• 12:34 – Diverse religious influences in presidential oath-taking.
• 13:24 – George Carlin quote and final satire on political-religious posturing.

Tone & Style

The episode is appropriately irreverent, mixing historical detail with sharp critique and biting humor, characteristic of Concostrina’s style. It blends anecdote, historical citation, and satire, making political history accessible and even fun.

Takeaway

From political expediency to personal belief, the rituals of swearing and promising in office are as much about performance and social negotiation as they are about actual faith or legal obligation. The episode invites listeners to question what these ceremonies really mean—and how much they actually bind those who recite them.