The Spanish political scene is gripped by a fierce internal conflict within the right-wing Vox party, which has seen the expulsion of key figures such as Javier Ortega Smith and José Ángel Antelo. Simultaneously, the public is following a legal battle between journalist Sarah Santaolalla and controversial activist Vito Quiles. A court rejected a request for a restraining order, intensifying a public exchange of accusations about fact manipulation.

Expulsion of Ortega Smith

One of Vox's founders was removed from the party and is promising to fight for the restoration of his membership.

Rebellion of José Ángel Antelo

The former leader of the party's structures in Murcia accuses the party headquarters of fabricating evidence against him.

Journalists' Legal Dispute

A court rejected a request for a restraining order against Vito Quiles in the case brought by Sarah Santaolalla.

An unprecedented earthquake has occurred within Spain's Vox party, which commentators are calling a "purge." Javier Ortega Smith, until now one of the most influential figures in the party, has been expelled, sparking a wave of speculation about Santiago Abascal's authoritarian management style. Ortega Smith has already announced he will appeal the decision through internal channels, but experts indicate his political end within the party structures seems inevitable. The situation is exacerbated by a conflict with José Ángel Antelo, who accused the party leadership of being a "factory of lies and hoaxes" after he was accused of paid patronage. Juan García-Gallardo came to his defense, demanding a correction of false information and threatening legal action against his own party. Parallel to the political crisis, Spanish media are reporting the conclusion of a high-profile incident involving journalist Sarah Santaolalla and right-wing influencer Vito Quiles. The judge presiding over the case rejected a request to impose a restraining order on Quiles. This decision became the spark for a new quarrel; Quiles publicly announced that the court had found him innocent of assault, which Santaolalla immediately denied, calling him a "liar" and emphasizing that the lack of a preventive measure is not equivalent to an acquittal in a trial for violating personal integrity. The Vox party was founded in 2013 as a conservative alternative to the People's Party, gaining prominence during the 2017 constitutional crisis in Catalonia. Critics of the party, including former leader of the United Left Gaspar Llamazares, suggest that Vox has ceased to function as a democratic political party and has begun to resemble a sect-like structure centered around a single leader. The lack of internal pressure from members and the marginalization of former leaders like Ortega Smith are said to be evidence of the group's progressive radicalization and insularity. This situation casts a shadow over the stability of the right-wing opposition in Spain, especially in the context of upcoming electoral challenges and the need to build coalitions at the regional level. „La dirección de Vox es una fábrica de mentiras y bulos.” (The leadership of Vox is a factory of lies and hoaxes.) — José Ángel Antelo

Mentioned People

  • Javier Ortega Smith — Politician expelled from the Vox party, former secretary-general of the party.
  • Vito Quiles — Controversial activist and journalist associated with right-wing circles.
  • Sarah Santaolalla — Journalist who accused Vito Quiles of assault.
  • José Ángel Antelo — Former vice-president of the Murcia region, in conflict with the Vox leadership.
  • Santiago Abascal — President of the Vox party.