Humor and relaxation, which are usually missing in Congress and the Senate, were the norm at the ceremony of the parliamentary awards presented by the press. Gabriel Rufián, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, Míriam Nogueras, Carla Antonelli, Borja Sémper and Yolanda Díaz were the Grand Prize Winner the night, albeit for very different reasons.
The ceremony, which took place at the Palace Hotel in Madrid, was an occasion for a relaxed meeting between parliamentarians and senators from different political backgrounds, as well as regular journalists in the democratic chambers. The gifts delivered by the Association of Parliamentary Journalists (APP) celebrated its 31st edition by opening the gala with a broadcast by Pedro Sánchez, who was unable to attend. Of course, it was not Sánchez who was present in every session of Congress, but his parody in the political satirical program Polandbroadcast on 3Cat.
During the gala, the parliamentary chronicler von The country Xosé Hermida, who was awarded the prize for Best Journalist of 2025. The award was presented by the president of the APP, Anabel Díez, also a journalist from Grupo Prisa. Smiling, Díez turned to the politicians present and stressed that “we just want to provide information” and reminded them that “be careful with the drinks, tomorrow there will be a full house”.
The most anticipated award of the evening for the best speaker is named after Emilio Castelar, president of Congress during the First Republic (1873-1874). This award went to Cayetana Alvarez de Toledofrom the People’s Party (PP), who did not attend the ceremony. The popular MP takes over the position held in the previous edition by Gabriel Rufián, of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC).
However, the ERC MP was not left without a gift in this edition, as he received the Scourge of the Opposition Award, after Óscar Puente received it the previous year. Laughing, Rufián began his speech with thanks: “I am very grateful to my parliamentary group, the PSOE… No, that’s a joke.” Without losing that Burlesque toneHe continued to allude to other socialist faces: “Thanks to my colleague Bolaños and my boss Patxi López, we are creating a party…”.
Although they weren’t just jokes. Rufián has pointed out that it is an honor to receive this award because “there are things about the government that I don’t like, but there are things about the opposition that I like much less.” Also from Junts per Catalunya, whose spokeswoman, Míriam Nogueras, received this Government scourge pricehave insisted that the combative style practiced by the Catalan party allowed it to stop being awarded the “Punishment for the Press” prize two years ago and instead receive the “Punishment of the State” prize.
The Association of Parliamentary Journalists received a special mention for those senators and representatives with whom they have better and worse relationships in everyday life. The journalists rewarded Borja Sémper of the PP and his communications office for their willingness take care of the press. On the other hand, the association awarded Yolanda Díaz, second vice president of the government since Sumar, with the Punishment Prize for the Press.
Neither politician was present at the ceremony, although both expressed gratitude for the awards. In Semper’s case, a party colleague gave the speech on her behalf, in which she placed a particular focus on advocating for “reconciliationalthough it is better to lead by example” and that “he hopes to return soon.” In the case of Díaz, it was also a colleague of Acronyms who, between laughs, said a few words on his behalf: “He will do that.” Offs shorter, if you believe it, it’s up to you.
Other awards of the evening were presented to long-standing and new representatives and senators. MP Maribel Vaquero from the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) accepted the award Substitutionary revelationfor which Carlos Hernández from Vox and Verónica Martínez from Sumar were also nominated. “It is possible from the age of 50,” said the parliamentarian, alluding to the fact that she won the prize at the age of 55.
The comparable gift in the upper house went to María del Mar Caballero from the Unión del Pueblo Navarro. “There is one thing that I also beat against the PNV, which is life after sixty,” he said with a laugh, alluding to Vaquero. The UPN senator is the spokesman for the commission of inquiry into Koldo and Ábalos, in whose speech this was not left unmentioned 104 sessions in the Senate.
The press association also recognized Carla Antonelli of Más Madrid as best senator; and Javier López from the PSOE MEP of the Year. Both had words to calm the spirits of the state. In the case of Antonelli, with particular mention of transsexuals, while López has pointed out that “we would be much better if we knew.” settle our differences“.
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