Internal Strife at Vox: Ortega Smith Defies Leadership Amid Expulsion Attempts

The ongoing civil war within the far-right party Vox has reached a new peak as two prominent figures engage in a battle that promises to last longer than anticipated. The party leader, Santiago Abascal, initiated the process to expel Javier Ortega Smith, who was temporarily suspended for refusing to accept his dismissal as the spokesperson for Madrid. In response, Ortega Smith has launched a counter-offensive challenging Abascal's authority. Ortega Smith held a press conference to announce his intentions to attend the plenary session of the Madrid City Council, stressing that he would continue to fulfill his duties despite being suspended. This confrontation escalates as Vox has also suspended the memberships of two municipal councilors, Carla Toscano and Ignacio Ansaldo, who openly supported Ortega Smith. Despite this turmoil, Ortega Smith seemed unyielding, stating, "If the majority requests it, I will have no problem convening a meeting and proceeding with that vote," suggesting that dissent within the party still lingers. While he addressed the media solo—absent of his colleagues—the message was clear: he does not plan to step down without a fight. The internal crisis has raised questions about the structure of Vox, as Ortega Smith, a key figure since the party's founding in 2014, finds himself at odds with the leadership. Abascal's push for his ouster and the appointment of Arantxa Cabello as the new spokesperson has been met with defiance from Ortega Smith, who argues that the right to choose the spokesperson belongs to the municipal group, not to the leadership. Ortega Smith continues to enjoy support from a majority of councilors in Madrid. He noted, "Evidently if I did not have that support there would be a majority of councilors calling for a decision to be made. As long as the majority does not consider it necessary, it makes no sense." This indicates that factionalism might be brewing beneath the surface, contrary to the party's official stance that "Vox has no factions." Adding complexity to the situation is the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, from the PP party, who remarked that the authority to change the spokesperson does not rest with Vox's leadership, emphasizing that such decisions lie with the municipal group. As Ortega Smith prepares to attend the upcoming plenary session, the divide within Vox—the former unity between him and Abascal now a thing of the past—will further unfold. Their related histories as founding members, now marred by a power struggle, paints a concerning picture for the future of the party. With many original members fading into obscurity, the political landscape within Vox appears increasingly fractured. As Ortega Smith bravely attempts to maintain his position amid mounting pressure from the party leadership, the internal conflict reflects deeper issues within Vox, suggesting that the turbulence is far from over. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3