The internal crisis within Vox, Spain’s main far-right party, is intensifying. Conflicts between leader Santiago Abascal and prominent figures — including former party secretary Javier Ortega Smith and ex-parliamentary spokesman Iván Espinosa de los Monteros — have escalated into open confrontation, with public accusations, split votes, and mutual recriminations.
The conflict has been most visible in Madrid City Hall. A group of Vox municipal councillors has fractured: Ortega Smith, along with two allies, is voting separately from the rest, who remain loyal to the national leadership. The plenary secretariat has officially acknowledged the situation, effectively formalising the split within the group. Ortega Smith refuses to relinquish his position as spokesman and claims he holds majority support within the group.
Tensions have mounted following a series of purges and expulsions. The Vox leadership accuses its critics of waging a “dirty war” backed by the conservative People’s Party (PP). In response, critics including Espinosa de los Monteros have published a manifesto demanding greater internal democracy and a change of direction. Abascal, for his part, insists: “The party is united — the attacks are coming from outside.” Observers, however, note that purges have become almost systematic over recent months.
Despite public declarations of unity, sources within the party speak of a “pattern” — recurring purges and growing discontent within regional structures, including Castilla-La Mancha and other areas.
Paradoxically, the crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of electoral gains. In recent regional elections in Extremadura (December 2025) and Aragon (February 2026), Vox doubled its number of seats, significantly strengthening its position and making itself a key partner for the PP in forming regional governments. The party is rapidly winning over younger voters by campaigning against immigration policy, “gender ideology,” and Pedro Sánchez’s central government.
Analysts note that the internal turmoil has not yet affected the party’s poll ratings, but further escalation could weaken Vox ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections. If the rift deepens, some disillusioned supporters may gravitate towards new political projects or bolster the position of more moderate conservatives.
For now, Abascal retains firm control over the party apparatus and continues his aggressive rhetoric against socialists and “globalists.” However, recent events make clear that even within Spain’s far right — long considered a monolithic force — serious contradictions are coming to a head. Vox’s future will depend largely on whether its leader can maintain discipline, or whether the party enters a prolonged period of internal warfare.