Sánchez on La Revuelta: promises to renew Broncano if he wins

Sánchez turns La Revuelta into a campaign rally and promises to renew Broncano

Pedro Sánchez was interviewed on TVE's La Revuelta and the most talked-about moment was not an awkward question but a promise: if he wins the election, he will renew Broncano's show for another four years. The scene, broadcast in prime time on public television, has sparked a debate over the use of the public broadcaster and the show's script. For some, it was a crowd-pleasing triumph; for others, an electoral contract paid for by all taxpayers.

The renewal promise that raises eyebrows

The Prime Minister promised live on air that, if he wins the election, he will keep Broncano on for another four years. The remark, greeted with applause in the studio, has been interpreted by many critics as an unacceptable interference in RTVE's management. The argument is that a prime minister should not decide the fate of a programme funded with public money, least of all in the middle of an election campaign. The gesture, more fitting for a campaign manager than a head of government, has fuelled the controversy over control of the public broadcaster.

A script under suspicion

The interview, far from offering scrutiny, unfolded in a relaxed tone with pre-agreed questions, according to its most vocal critics. They point out that the interviewer is not a hard-hitting journalist and that the format prioritises show over accountability. The programme's defenders reply that Broncano is not a political interviewer and that politicians who don't want to appear simply don't. The result, however, was an applauded monologue in which Sánchez was able to tout his achievements with barely any pushback.

The economic record Sánchez did not mention

While the studio talked about pensions and the minimum wage, another figure was doing the rounds among economic commentators: public debt issuance is growing at a rate of 192 million euros a day since Sánchez arrived at the Moncloa palace eight years ago, according to a calculation by economist Daniel Lacalle circulated on social media. The figure clashes with the narrative of successful management. Critics also point out that pension increases are offset by higher income tax (IRPF), and that the rise in the minimum wage (SMI) causes a loss of competitiveness and inflation. These are the numbers that did not come up in the interview.

The audience's applause and the opposition's anger

The show's audience, selected by the production company, applauded the Prime Minister's every quip. For some, that applause is proof that the programme was designed as a rally. For others, it is simply audience enthusiasm. The opposition, for its part, has called the interview a "massage" and criticised the use of public television to promote the candidate. The question left hanging is whether this kind of appearance helps or hurts Sánchez electorally.

Broncano's precedent and the ratings

This is not the first time a politician has visited La Revuelta. Broncano has already interviewed other leaders, and the show has become a coveted showcase. The difference is that Sánchez is the Prime Minister and his visit comes in a pre-electoral context. The show's ratings, which beat its competitor, have been used by its defenders to justify its relevance. Critics, on the other hand, see it as an image operation paid for with public money.

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With all this, Sánchez's interview on La Revuelta leaves more questions than answers. The promise to renew Broncano, the pre-agreed script and the audience's applause paint a picture in which public television becomes indistinguishable from the campaign. It remains to be seen whether this kind of appearance becomes the norm or whether, on the contrary, political pressure forces a rethink of the format.