A Plenary Marked by Tension and Division
The February Plenary in the Madrid City Council has become a stage for political confrontation, highlighting a deep internal crisis within the Vox party. The arrival of spokesperson Javier Ortega Smith, accompanied by his allies Carla Toscano and Ignacio Ansaldo, has been interpreted as a clear statement of intentions regarding the disciplinary decisions made by the party's leadership.
Ortega, who was expelled for refusing to resign from his position, did not hesitate to criticise Vox during his speech. In his words, he highlighted that the group is in a critical situation due to a government he describes as "delinquent" and "criminal", suggesting that internal decisions are hindering their work for the citizens of Madrid. Despite the palpable tension, Ortega attempted to downplay the event by describing it as an "ordinary plenary".
The session quickly demonstrated that the ordinary was far from the norm. Arantxa Cabello, appointed by the leadership as Ortega's successor, announced that individual votes would be requested for the councillors while an administrative procedure is underway that could result in the formal separation of the 'rebels' from the group. This decision reflects a significant rift within the party: three councillors openly support Ortega while two remain loyal to Santiago Abascal.
Despite this division, Cabello emphasised that she does not feel personal animosity towards her dissenting colleagues; however, she acknowledged that from a political standpoint there is a clear separation between both sides. This internal conflict could have significant repercussions for the party's future in Madrid.
The sanctioned councillors now have a limited timeframe to present allegations regarding their situation. Cabello explained that they will have ten days for this and then will have access to two different types of administrative appeals. This process is expected to extend for approximately a month before reaching a definitive resolution regarding their status as councillors.
Nevertheless, the day was also marked by incisive questions posed by Ortega to Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida about recent cases related to illegal registrations in Madrid. Ortega expressed his concern about how these practices could affect public services and benefit criminal organisations. However, Martínez-Almeida quickly responded by reminding the spokesperson of his own history with questionable registrations.
This exchange underscores not only the internal tensions within the party but also the complex political dynamics present in the Madrid City Council. With future elections on the horizon and an unprecedented internal crisis, Vox faces significant challenges both from within and outside.
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