Pablo Iglesias responded categorically to Arturo Pérez-Reverte's public invitation to participate in a debate on the Spanish Civil War: he did not accept the face-to-face in the context of the specialized conferences on that historical period, alleging that the format is not adequate for the exchange of ideas that the writer proposed
The original proposal by Pérez-Reverte, which had generated expectation in both media and social networks, proposed a direct debate between the two to address historical and political interpretations of the Civil War, a topic that has been the subject of controversy and reinterpretation in recent years. Iglesias's refusal was expressed after analyzing the format of the conferences, considering that it did not conform to what he understands by a rigorous and balanced debate to address complex issues of our pastJournalist Jesús Cintora, host of the program Malas Lenguas, responded live, who picked up the idea proposing that, if the debate takes place, it be in the RTVE television space, where both parties could have the necessary time and format for a deeper dialogue with guarantees of equity. Cintora publicly extended the invitation to Pérez-Reverte to consider Malas Lenguas as the ideal setting for the meeting
🗣️ Reverte says he will invite Pablo Iglesias to debate, who responds live.
— Malas Lenguas (@MalasLenguas_Tv) February 2, 2026
📨 @JesusCintora invites @perezreverte for that debate with @PabloIglesias to take place on #MalasLenguas pic.twitter.com/ZqGmY0TheA
Cintora's proposal has added a new media element to the discussion, positioning the program as a possible forum for a debate that many expect to see between two voices with very different ideological and cultural positions. Iglesias's response, although negative to the initial format, has not completely closed the door to a dialogue in other spaces that would bring together both protagonists
The crossing comes at a time when historical memory continues to be a delicate matter in Spain, with opposing positions, very polarized and politically and socially charged. For now, the debate is not closed and there has not yet been a statement from Pérez Reverte on the proposal by Malas Lenguas.