Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: SER Podcast
Episode: Acontece que no es poco | Regatas y percebes: Décimo aniversario de la abdicación del Bribón, la historia se repite en Borbonia
Date: June 13, 2024
Hosted by: Nieves Concostrina, with Carla

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina and Carla draw a sharply satirical parallel between two moments of Spanish royal history: the 19th-century transfer of power from María Cristina de Borbón to Isabel II and the 2014 abdication of Juan Carlos I in favor of Felipe VI. Using their distinctive irreverent and witty style, they analyze the recurring themes of corruption, media manipulation, and the entrenchment of royal privilege—what they wryly dub the "macrogranja de Borbones." The discussion coincides with the tenth anniversary of Juan Carlos I’s abdication, making direct comparisons between contemporary and historical royal maneuvers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Repetition of Royal Corruption and Abdication

• Historical Parallel:
  • The hosts open by connecting two notorious acts of royal self-preservation:
    • María Cristina de Borbón's abdication (renuncia a la regencia) for her daughter, Isabel II (1840s).
    • Juan Carlos I's abdication in favor of Felipe VI (2014).
• Royal Tactics:
  • Both involved calculated withdrawals followed by behind-the-scenes maneuvering to ensure a safe and lucrative return for the abdicating monarch or their interests.
  • Both employed favorable media and political networks to ease their way back to influence.

“María Cristina de Borbón y su abdicación en su hija Isabel II es igualita, igualita a la de Juan Carlos Bribón en su hijo Felipe.”
— Carla [00:34]

2. The Modern Borbón Family Dynamics

• Familia Real vs. Familia del Rey:
  • Detailed the logistical complexities of summer vacations among various royal family members, notable for trying to avoid each other.
  • Commentary on the continued use, and alleged usurpation, of Marivent Palace by the royal family, despite the property originally being intended for the people of Mallorca.

"Lo que tenemos desde 1972 es una macrogranja de Borbones que no para de crecer... Desocupen. Maribén es un palacio del que siguen disfrutando en exclusiva los hijos de la corrupción de Juan Carlos..."
— Carla [02:45]

3. Return Strategies: Then and Now

• The Art of Comeback:
  • Drawing out the tactic of slow re-entry: after being cast out for corruption, the expat monarch (María Cristina, Juan Carlos I) gradually returns through an orchestrated campaign—family events, medical reviews, regatta appearances.
  • Constant use of media and political allies to normalize and ease their presence.

“Se están usando exactamente la misma táctica que se empleó cuando la corrupta María Cristina de Borbón fue expulsada… financiando a periódicos y periodistas para que ensuciaran la política y poder así ir metiendo la patita poquito a poco…”
— Carla [04:47]

4. Media Manipulation: The Historical Press and Its Rewards

• Bought and Loyal Press:
  • Historical monarchs lavished money on journalists and publications to attack legitimate governments and rehabilitate royal reputations.
  • Notable mention of José Luis Sartorius and Manuel Antonio de las Heras, journalists who became politicians/ministers thanks to their loyalty to the Borbons.

"Hubo periodistas como el director del Heraldo, que mandaba a María Cristina de Borbón y Fernando Muñoz sus artículos laudatorios... Este tipo... se llamaba José Luis Sartorius y vio luego premiados sus servicios pasando de periodista a diputado, enseguida a ministro y luego presidente del gobierno."
— Carla [08:52]

• Censorship and Retaliation:
  • Recalling the episode of a newspaper’s closure and its editor’s exile for indirectly alluding to María Cristina’s secret marriage.

“Por eso la reina gobernadora, con la connivencia del ministro oportuno, la policía y los jueces, ordenó cerrar el diario y desterrar a su editor…”
— Carla [11:06]

5. The Unbroken Thread of Corruption

• Royal Inviolability:
  • Neither era has effectively held the monarchy to account; while they might no longer exile critical journalists, the hosts argue the system still protects and privileges the royals.

"Siguen siendo inviolables, pero no intocables.”
— Carla [12:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carla on Royal Holidays:
  “A ver cómo todos estos okupas se reparten las vacaciones en ese país, que se han quedado en régimen de multipropiedad. Hay que organizar servicio, intendencia, chóferes, jardineros. Es todo muy estresante.” [00:34]

• Carla on Marivent Palace:
  “Desocupen. Maribén es un palacio del que siguen disfrutando en exclusiva los hijos de la corrupción de Juan Carlos...” [02:49]

• Carla on Royal Media Tactics:
  “Ellos se instalaron en París. Y allí luego todos los reyes tienen sus camarillas, Juan Carlos también. Periodistas que los blanquean, empresarios, periódicos, revistas de peluquería. Todos se ponen al servicio para enmierdar por un lado, y para blanquear al corrupto por otro.” [05:58]

• Nieves, on press freedom and censorship:
  “Borbonia ya no puede desterrar a los periodistas a sueldo de Juan Carlos por las mierdecillas ahí escandalosamente ciertas que se publican de lo que acontece en Zarzuela. Pero bueno, la verdad es que no les faltan ganas.” [12:50]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:34 — 03:58: Analysis of the current Borbón family's holiday logistics and recurring patterns of royal privilege.
• 04:38 — 07:47: Parallels in the tactics of María Cristina and Juan Carlos I for re-entry into Spain; historical anecdotes.
• 08:36 — 10:50: Discussion about the compliant press, historical examples of journalists rewarded with political office.
• 11:00 — 13:05: Press censorship and the fate of journalists who crossed the monarchy in the 19th century.

Tone

As always, Nieves and Carla maintain a biting, satirical tone—irreverent towards monarchical institutions and sharply critical of privilege and historical amnesia, mixing historical narrative with modern parallels and a touch of caustic wit.

Takeaway

This episode offers a wry, well-researched meditation on the cyclical nature of royal abuse of power in Spain. Through detailed historical comparison, Nieves and Carla argue that nothing truly changes in “Borbonia”: corruption, manipulation of the press, and royal privilege persist under different names and faces, with modern headlines echoing scandals from centuries past.