Comedian Raúl Pérez impersonated Spanish Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda José Luis Ábalos in a satirical sketch on El Intermedio [1].
The performance highlights the intersection of political scandal and internet culture in Spain. By blending high-level government office with urban music tropes, the program satirizes the public image of a minister facing legal scrutiny and a wave of social media memes.
During the broadcast on May 5, the impersonator performed a song in the style of Bad Bunny [1]. In the lyrics, the character refers to a legal interrogation, stating, “El juez me preguntó si tengo muchas novias, muchas novias” [1].
The sketch aimed to comment on the proliferation of internet memes that portray Ábalos in a humorous or vulgar light [1]. The satire extended to the difficulty of maintaining a political career while dealing with personal controversies. The impersonator said, “¿Sabéis el esfuerzo que conlleva compaginar ser un putero y tener chanchullos con ser ministro?” [1].
As part of the act, the character also addressed the public's perception of him. The impersonator, acting as Ábalos, said, “Pido que dejen de convertirme en un meme” [1].
The episode aired in the studio of El Intermedio, which is broadcast on La Sexta in Madrid [1]. The segment used the musical format to frame the minister's legal challenges as a pop-culture phenomenon, reflecting a broader trend of political satire in Spanish media.
““El juez me preguntó si tengo muchas novias, muchas novias.””
This parody reflects a growing trend in Spanish political discourse where the dignity of government office is challenged by 'memeification.' By utilizing a globally recognized musical style like Bad Bunny's, the program translates complex legal and political controversies into a digestible, viral format, effectively shifting the narrative from courtroom proceedings to public entertainment.
