Iván Espinosa de los Monteros Launches New Political Platform 'Atenea' Amidst Political Tensions

Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, the former Secretary General of Vox and ex-Member of Parliament, has officially launched his political platform, Atenea, during an event held in Madrid on Thursday. The launch was filled with pointed messages directed at his former party, Vox, as well as the Popular Party (PP). The event saw a notable presence of former Vox members, alongside a few current figures, sparking conversations around the shifting dynamics within these political factions. Among the prominent attendees were Javier Ortega Smith, the Vox spokesperson in the Madrid City Council and a former Secretary General of the party, and Inés Cañizares, the Deputy Mayor of Toledo. However, the turnout from current Vox officials was limited, highlighting a potential rift in the party's ranks. In contrast, many representatives from the PP attended, although one significant absence was that of Miguel Tellado, the party's Secretary General, who had initially expressed interest in being present but was reportedly occupied with the preparation of an upcoming PP event in Murcia. The PP delegation included notable figures such as Juan Bravo, the Party's Vice Secretary of Finance, and Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, a well-known parliamentary figure. Other attendees included Guillermo Mariscal, a PP Deputy, and former Ciudadanos Deputy and Coca-Cola executive, Marcos de Quinto. Additionally, two former Vox deputies, Rubén Manso and Víctor Sánchez del Real, were present, with Sánchez del Real taking on the role of Communications Director for Atenea. Espinosa de los Monteros addressed the audience with a sense of purpose, openly expressing his continued affiliation with Vox. He emphasized that he was not seeking to find a comfortable middle ground between the PP and Vox; rather, he aims to unite efforts to dismantle the current government led by Pedro Sánchez and combat what he refers to as 'sanchismo.' In a call for cooperation, Espinosa urged an end to hostilities between the PP and Vox, asserting that if the objective is truly the welfare of Spain rather than individual political ambitions, a spirit of generosity is essential. 'Both parties, whether they like it or not, are bound to understand each other,' he remarked, underlining the importance of collaboration among parties positioned against the left. The presence of various individuals, including Victor de Aldama, who is under investigation concerning hydrocarbon dealings, and Daniel Esteve from the company Desokupa, added layers of intrigue to the event. Espinosa's wife, Rocío Monasterio, a key figure in the early days of Vox, also graced the occasion, having stepped back from frontline politics. Atenea is poised to be a significant player in Spain's political landscape, with Espinosa at the helm determined to shape a better future for the country by promoting cooperation among right-leaning parties. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2