The Spanish party Vox is undergoing a deep internal crisis, triggered by Santiago Abascal's brutal consolidation of power. The party leader orchestrated the removal of José Ángel Antelo, the head of the party structures in Murcia, which has sparked a wave of criticism from former allies. The conflict is spilling over into relations with the Catholic Church and the coalition partner PP, casting doubt on the future of the right-wing bloc in Spain.

Split in the Murcia Stronghold

The removal of José Ángel Antelo has triggered a crisis in the region with the highest support for the Vox party.

Criticism from Former Leaders

Espinosa de los Monteros and other former activists accuse Abascal of authoritarianism.

Clash with the Church

The Vox leader sharply attacked bishops for their stance on migration policy.

Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right party Vox, has carried out a radical restructuring of the party's organization, aiming to establish one-person leadership. This process, described by commentators as a 'purge', has led to open conflict in Murcia, which until now was a party stronghold. José Ángel Antelo, the ousted regional leader, refused to give up his parliamentary seat, publicly questioning the methods used by the party headquarters in Madrid. Antelo emphasized that true loyalty should not be confused with absolute submission to the leader. The scale of internal resistance has surprised observers. Prominent politicians such as Iván Espinosa de los Monteros and Juan García-Gallardo have joined the criticism of Abascal. These voices point to a progressive lack of internal democracy in a structure increasingly referred to ironically as 'Avoxcal'. Abascal rejects the accusations, attributing the crisis to 'orchestrated campaigns and betrayals'. Simultaneously, he has sharpened his rhetoric against bishops criticizing the party's line on migration, suggesting the clergy should return to saying Mass instead of engaging in politics. The Vox party was founded in 2013 as a conservative offshoot of the People's Party, gaining significance in 2018 during the Andalusian elections due to its strong opposition to Catalan separatism.The situation within Vox is impacting the broader political landscape of Spain. The People's Party (PP) faces a dilemma regarding further cooperation with its weakened ally. While in some regions these parties jointly introduce controversial regulations, such as the ban on the burqa in Toledo, at the national level the distance between the leaders is growing. Abascal's strategy, based on building a personality cult and marginalizing regional barons, could lead to a permanent fragmentation of the right-wing electorate ahead of upcoming electoral challenges. „La lealtad es decir la verdad, otra cosa es la sumisión.” (Loyalty is telling the truth, another thing is submission.) — José Ángel Antelo

Mentioned People

  • Santiago Abascal — Chairman of the Vox party, seeking to centralize power.
  • José Ángel Antelo — Former Vox leader in the Murcia region, removed by the party headquarters.
  • Iván Espinosa de los Monteros — Former Vox spokesperson who criticized the party's current direction.
  • Alberto Núñez Feijóo — Leader of the People's Party (PP), observing the crisis of his coalition partner.