Internal divisions within Vox have reached a new level after the party’s former Secretary General, Javier Ortega Smith, publicly announced his intention to fight for his position. This development may impact political stability in Madrid and trigger a chain reaction in other regions across the country. According to El Pais, the decision to consider his possible expulsion was initiated by party leader Santiago Abascal, which came as a surprise to many supporters.
Ortega Smith addressed a press conference in the capital, emphasizing that he has no intention of backing down and plans to use every mechanism provided by the party’s charter to defend his rights. He noted that he finds the situation unfair and is prepared to defend his position in court if necessary. His remarks included criticism of the leadership, which, in his view, is following a prearranged plan aimed at removing dissenting members.
Causes of the conflict
The situation escalated after Ortega Smith was removed from the party’s ruling body. According to him, the decision was made hastily without proper discussion, and most members of the leadership were not even familiar with the details of the allegations. He links what is happening to an attempt to get rid of those who uphold the party’s founding principles and are not afraid to openly disagree with current policies.
Within the party, rumors emerged that Ortega Smith had allegedly shared internal information with third parties. He categorically denied these accusations, stating that his reputation is beyond reproach and that such insinuations are being used to find a formal pretext for his removal. He emphasized that he has no intention of remaining silent and will defend his honor by all available means.
Reaction in Madrid
The future of Ortega Smith on Madrid’s city council remains unclear. According to Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, it is still uncertain whether he will retain his position as Vox representative or join the mixed group. The mayor noted that the party must independently decide who will serve as its official spokesperson and emphasized that the situation within Vox is becoming increasingly complicated.
At the same time, according to El Pais, the party is discussing the possibility of appointing a new representative, but a final decision has not yet been made. Internal disagreements may weaken Vox’s position in the capital and affect its influence in other regions.
Implications for the party
Experts point out that such internal conflicts within political organizations often lead to declining voter confidence and loss of support. In Vox’s case, the situation is complicated by the fact that the divisions have become public and gained wide resonance. This could impact future election results and shift the balance of power in Madrid’s city council.
Intraparty disputes are not uncommon in Spanish politics. In recent years, similar situations have arisen in other parties when key figures found themselves at odds with the leadership. For example, in 2024, one of the country’s largest parties experienced a similar conflict that led to the departure of several prominent members and a subsequent drop in electoral support. Such events highlight how fragile unity can be even within the most cohesive organizations.
