The temporary suspension of Javier Ortega Smith from Vox has become an unexpected twist for Madrid’s political scene. This decision could lead to significant changes in the balance of power in the city council and within the party itself. It is crucial for Spaniards to understand how internal disagreements within one of the key political forces can influence decision-making that affects life in the capital.
Causes of the conflict
According to AlEspanol, Vox leadership decided to temporarily remove Ortega Smith after he refused to comply with the order to hand over the position of official representative in Madrid’s city council. Instead, he continued acting as faction leader, despite being formally notified about the portfolio change. Arancha Cabello was appointed as the new spokesperson, but Ortega Smith ignored this decision, prompting a sharp reaction from the party’s central office.
Within Vox, this act was seen as a direct breach of party discipline and a serious challenge to the leadership’s authority. In response, a disciplinary process was launched, which included temporary suspension from party membership to prevent further actions contradicting the central committee’s decisions. In a letter sent by party secretary Ignacio Garriga, all five Vox deputies on the city council were ordered to immediately recognize the new leadership structure and inform the Madrid administration.
Reaction and consequences
The situation is further complicated by the fact that two out of the five Vox deputies in Madrid — Carla Toscano and Ignacio Ansaldo — support Ortega Smith. If they also refuse to acknowledge the leadership change, they may face similar temporary suspension. As a result, supporters of the central committee, including Fernando Martínez Vidal and Arancha Cabello herself, find themselves in the minority. This creates instability and could further undermine the party’s standing in the capital.
At the same time, Vox has already begun searching for new candidates for the upcoming race for Madrid mayor. Among the potential figures are Íñigo Henríquez de Luna, Carlos Quero, and Fernando Martínez Vidal. However, as sources point out, there is more than a year left until the municipal elections, and the situation could change at any time. Internal party debates on this issue are already underway, highlighting the depth of the divisions.
A history of tension
Tensions between Ortega Smith and the party leadership had been building for some time. Back in December 2025, he was removed from the executive committee, and before that, he lost several key positions, including deputy representative in Congress and chair of the justice committee. His actions, such as participating in public events against the leadership’s wishes, only heightened the strain. For instance, attending a memorial mass for victims of the Cordoba train disaster and taking part in a think tank presentation—where he urged the party to listen more closely to society—were seen as thinly veiled criticism.
Disagreements over international policy surfaced in February when Ortega Smith publicly questioned the wisdom of supporting Donald Trump’s policies, despite Vox’s official stance. This further escalated the conflict between him and the central leadership.
Internal party crises in Spain
Such internal disputes are not uncommon in Spanish politics. In recent years, Madrid’s political scene has repeatedly become a battleground for sharp confrontations between leaders and their inner circles. For example, recently the Constitutional Court undermined the position of one of Ayuso’s key allies, which also sparked a wave of debate about government stability in the capital. These events demonstrate how quickly the political landscape can shift if deep rifts emerge within a party.
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in cases where internal disputes lead to leadership changes or even party splits. This reflects a broader trend of growing political complexity and declining trust in traditional structures. As electoral cycles become shorter and competition between parties intensifies, such crises can have long-term consequences for the governance of cities and regions.
