The mayor of Alcalá de Henares has dismissed Vox's deputy mayor after two city employees accused him of harassment. The move puts the PP-Vox coalition at risk in one of Madrid's largest cities.
The political alliance between Partido Popular (PP) and Vox in Alcalá de Henares has entered a critical phase after Mayor Judith Piquet (PP) removed Víctor Acosta (Vox) from his role as second deputy mayor. The decision follows formal complaints from two municipal employees accusing Acosta of sexual and workplace harassment, as well as threats and breach of confidentiality. This development threatens the stability of the coalition that governs one of the most populous cities in the Madrid region.
The dismissal comes after weeks of internal strain within the local government. According to municipal sources, the mayor's move was prompted by a loss of political and institutional trust in Acosta, citing his public statements and actions. The PP also points to Vox's refusal to support the city budget, which has stalled key financial decisions since December. Conservatives claim Vox demanded access to municipal accounting records, a request not endorsed by technical staff.
In response to the budget deadlock, the PP-led administration proposed a €68 million budget modification, which Vox opposed. Acosta then released a public statement questioning the integrity of the government team and hinting at possible irregularities, but without providing specific evidence or naming individuals. The PP argues that it is inconsistent for Acosta to remain in a senior government role while openly expressing distrust in his coalition partners.
Acosta, who continues to hold other responsibilities within the council, is expected to make a public statement regarding his dismissal. The future of the coalition now depends on Vox's reaction, with the party yet to clarify whether it will continue supporting the PP-led administration. The situation is particularly sensitive given the proximity of the next municipal elections in spring 2027.
When the allegations against Acosta first surfaced in late May, the PP initially resisted calls for action, emphasizing the presumption of innocence and referencing similar approaches taken by other parties in national politics. However, the stance shifted over the weekend as the coalition's internal cohesion deteriorated. Vox, for its part, has stated that its legal team is working with Acosta to address the complaints and has rejected both harassment and what it describes as 'parallel trials' or attempts to use the accusations to distract from issues raised by the Vox group regarding local management.
Coalition agreements between PP and Vox have faced challenges in other municipalities, with previous breakdowns in Móstoles, Torrelodones, and Leganés. The current crisis in Alcalá de Henares, a city of over 200,000 residents, now tests the resilience of the partnership in a key Madrid municipality. The outcome could influence the broader political landscape in the region ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Alcalá de Henares is one of the largest cities in the Community of Madrid and has been governed by a PP-Vox coalition since the 2023 municipal elections. Coalition governments between these parties have been marked by frequent disputes over policy and management. The case against Acosta adds to a series of recent incidents that have strained similar alliances across Spain, highlighting the fragility of such political arrangements at the local level.
