Xavier Sanz Latiesas

Honorary Academician

Social Sciences

Date of admission: March 13, 2025

Admission speech: «The Agony of the State»

Reply: Hon. Dr. José Ramón Calvo Fernández, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery

Outstanding career: Galician journalist and political analyst, former Director of Press at the Office of the Prime Minister under Adolfo Suárez —author of several of his most emblematic speeches—, whose unmistakable voice accompanied Spain’s democratic transition and its media landscape for decades.

FERNANDO ÓNEGA

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

  • An essential chronicler since the early years of Spain’s Transition, renowned for his rigorous and neutral voice.
  • Press Director for the Presidency of the Government under Adolfo Suárez, author of many of his speeches.
  • Pioneer of political commentary on radio with the programme Hora 25 on Cadena SER (1978).
  • News Director at Cadena SER and Cadena COPE.
  • General Director of Onda Cero.
  • Collaborator with Luis del Olmo (17 years), Carlos Herrera and, from 2015 to 2022, daily political commentator on Más de uno and author of a daily letter on La Brújula.
  • Director of Programming and External Relations at TVE.
  • News presenter on Telecinco and Antena 3.
  • Regular panelist on numerous debate programmes.

PUBLICATIONS

  • El termómetro de la vida.
  • Puedo prometer y prometo.
  • Juan Carlos I.
  • Qué nos ha pasado, España.
  • First article published at the age of 13 in the newspaper La Noche (Santiago de Compostela).
  • Contributor to El Progreso (Lugo) with a weekly page and interviews since the age of 15.
  • Director of the newspaper Ya.
  • Founder of the news agency and confidential service Off the record (OTR Press).
  • Columnist for La Vanguardia and La Voz de Galicia.
  • President of the digital newspaper 65ymas.com.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

  • Over 100 awards throughout his career.
  • Godó Award.
  • Several Golden Antennas.
  • Multiple Golden Microphones.