A tense Plenary full of disagreements
The latest Plenary Session of the Madrid City Council witnessed notable political tension, marked by the internal crisis facing the municipal group of Vox. The session, held at the iconic Palacio de Cibeles, began with the arrival of the still spokesperson Javier Ortega Smith, who was accompanied by his two closest allies, Carla Toscano and Ignacio Ansaldo. This trio has been subject to disciplinary sanctions from the national leadership of the party due to their refusal to comply with direct orders.
Ortega Smith did not hesitate to criticise his own party, stating that “at such a serious moment for Spain,” Vox had chosen to “hinder” its work for the benefit of the people of Madrid. This statement underscores the profound discontent within the group and raises questions about its political future.
Arantxa Cabello, who has recently taken over the spokesperson role following Ortega's dismissal, was firm in demanding a month to resolve the internal conflict. During the Plenary, the five councillors who remain loyal to Ortega requested to vote individually on several proposals. However, their positions diverged on key issues such as Urban Planning, where Ortega supported three initiatives while Cabello chose to abstain along with Fernando Martínez Vidal.
Despite the evident differences between both sides, they managed to reach an agreement on a proposal presented by Cabello for the City Council to fund a study on pancreatic cancer led by the renowned doctor Mariano Barbacid. This gesture could be interpreted as an attempt to maintain some cohesion amid the growing fracture.
The debate also addressed critical issues such as illegal registration and deficiencies in public services. Ortega was the one who opened fire by questioning Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida about recent cases detected in municipal offices. Almeida responded harshly, recalling past incidents related to Ortega himself.
Additionally, Socialist spokesperson Reyes Maroto openly criticised the PP's management regarding urban cleanliness and services for migrants. The opposition accused the local government of opting for fear-based policies rather than effective solutions to improve civic coexistence.
As this internal process within the municipal group of Vox unfolds, it is clear that their situation is becoming increasingly precarious. With a month ahead to resolve their differences and no certainties about who will represent the party in future plenary sessions, many wonder if this crisis will mark a point of no return for Vox in Madrid.
As events develop, both councillors and citizens will be watching closely to see how this political story filled with unexpected twists unfolds.
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