An internal conflict within Vox in Madrid could shift the balance of power in the city council. Javier Ortega Smith’s decision to continue acting as the parliamentary group’s representative, despite his temporary suspension from the party, has sparked debate among politicians and citizens in the capital. The situation affects not only the party’s internal dynamics, but also influences the functioning of the entire municipal administration.
According to El Pais, Ortega Smith announced his intention to attend the upcoming council meeting as Vox’s official representative. This statement came after the party’s leadership initiated expulsion proceedings and temporarily suspended his membership for refusing to comply with his removal from office. The move has led to a deep rift within the ranks of the far-right party in Madrid.
Dissent within Vox
At a press conference held on the eve of the meeting, Ortega Smith appeared alone, holding his party membership card. He stressed that he saw no grounds for a vote to remove him, arguing that such a procedure is only possible if the majority of his colleagues demand it. He also stated that he does not consider the Vox group in the council to be divided into factions.
The decision to appoint a representative is made within the parliamentary group itself, and Ortega Smith’s fate depends on the decision of the five Vox deputies in Madrid. Just days before the elections in Aragón, Ortega sent a letter to the national executive committee, sharply criticizing his removal. That same day, the committee unanimously decided to replace him with Arancha Cabello.
Leadership response and repercussions
The Vox leadership officially notified the deputies of the need to change their representative. However, Ortega Smith refused to acknowledge his dismissal and continued to carry out his duties. The party leadership considered this an act of indiscipline, prompting the start of disciplinary proceedings and the temporary suspension of Ortega Smith’s membership.
Responding to journalists’ questions, Ortega Smith stated that the group was working as a single unit and planned to act together at the upcoming meeting. So far, only two deputies — Arancha Cabello and Fernando Martínez Vidal — have supported the national committee’s decision. The party leadership warned that further violations would result in additional measures, including new disciplinary cases and suspension of membership.
Impact on the city council
Ortega Smith emphasized that disagreements among deputies do not mean a lack of unity, but rather reflect routine work matters. During his speech, he reminded everyone of his status as one of the party’s founders, showed his party card with the number 006, and reaffirmed his commitment to Vox’s principles.
Due to the lack of support from most deputies for his removal, the party’s secretary general sent an official notice to the Madrid City Council regarding the change of representative. This forced the city mayor to make a decision, since, as El Pais notes, by law such matters are resolved within the faction itself, not at the party level.
In recent years, Spanish municipalities have repeatedly faced similar situations where internal party disagreements have triggered uncertainty in city council operations. For example, in 2024 in Valencia, a dispute between members of the same party led to a court case and a temporary paralysis of the budget committee. In Barcelona in 2025, a conflict between local faction leaders resulted in leadership changes and a review of coalition agreements. These cases demonstrate that internal disputes can seriously impact decision-making and stability in local government bodies.
