The intra-party crisis in Vox in Madrid could have serious repercussions for the capital’s political scene. The party leadership has issued an ultimatum: if Carla Toscano does not support the appointment of Arantxa Cabello as the new official representative on the city council, she will be temporarily suspended from the party. This decision was made in response to some deputies’ refusal to comply with new rules following the removal of Javier Ortega Smith from the position of speaker.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that any municipal deputy who continues to support Ortega Smith will automatically face disciplinary proceedings. According to Ale Espanol, Vox leaders view such behavior as a blatant violation of party discipline. Two camps have already formed within the party: those loyal to the central leadership and those who remain faithful to the former leader.
Division within the ranks
Carla Toscano, known for her outspoken criticism of modern feminist movements, has found herself at the center of attention. In 2023, she was second on the Vox ticket in the municipal elections and is currently the deputy speaker. Her next steps could be decisive for the future of the entire faction in the Madrid council.
The party leadership unanimously decided to replace the speaker back on February 12, and on February 16 all five deputies received official notification from Secretary General Ignacio Garriga. The letter emphasized the need for an immediate rotation. However, Ortega Smith ignored the order, continued to sign documents as speaker, and notified his colleagues of his intention to remain in office.
Disciplinary measures
The Vox leadership regarded such behavior as clear defiance and initiated proceedings for the temporary expulsion of Ortega Smith from the party. The party’s statutes establish strict measures for breaches of internal discipline, and these are now being enforced. As a result, only two deputies remain in Vox’s municipal group fully supporting the central leadership: Fernando Martínez Vidal and Arancha Cabello.
Ortega Smith’s supporters have ended up in the minority, and now all eyes are on the decision of Carla Toscano. If she does not change her stance, the party may lose another key member, further weakening Vox’s position in Madrid. The leadership hopes that deputies will agree to the change of leader to avoid another wave of expulsions and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Consequences for the capital
Internal disagreements within Vox could impact the balance of power in the Madrid City Council. The party risks losing influence if disciplinary actions lead to mass expulsions. Similar situations have repeatedly changed Spain’s political landscape. For example, a recent conflict between Spanish and Italian leaders on the eve of the EU summit sparked serious debates about Madrid’s future role in European politics — more on this can be found in the article about the impact of international disagreements on the capital’s standing.
According to Ale Espanol, the Vox leadership does not rule out further sanctions if the situation does not stabilize soon. Internal party conflicts are becoming increasingly visible against the backdrop of rising political tension across Spain. The decisions being made now could shape not only Vox’s future, but also the municipal balance of power for years to come.
In recent years, Spanish parties have repeatedly faced internal crises linked to struggles over leadership and discipline. In 2024, a similar situation occurred within one of the regional organizations, where mass expulsions led to the loss of council control. In 2025, a comparable conflict inside another party in Barcelona ended with a complete change of leadership and a redistribution of mandates. These events demonstrate how internal disagreements can quickly escalate into major political changes, affecting the entire country.
