Vox Expels Javier Ortega-Smith for Disobeying Party Orders

Vox Expels Key Founder Javier Ortega-Smith Following Disciplinary Action

Madrid – Vox has expelled Javier Ortega-Smith, a founding member and until recently a prominent figure within the party, following a disciplinary process triggered by his defiance of a national executive committee directive. The decision, confirmed by multiple sources, stems from Ortega-Smith’s refusal to step down from his position as Vox’s spokesperson in the Madrid City Council.

The Vox executive committee unanimously voted to remove Ortega-Smith from the spokesperson role on February 12, according to reports, and appointed Arantxa Cabello as his replacement. Ortega-Smith reportedly disregarded the directive, prompting the party to initiate disciplinary proceedings based on a “very serious” infraction of its statutes. This led to his immediate, though initially precautionary, expulsion from the party.

This expulsion marks the latest in a series of diminishing roles for Ortega-Smith within Vox, and reflects a growing rift with party leader Santiago Abascal. Once serving as secretary general and vice president of Vox, he was reduced to a vocal role in the party’s leadership in January 2024, and subsequently removed from the leadership entirely in December. More recently, in November, he was removed as deputy spokesperson in Congress, a position he had already been demoted from previously.

The disagreements between Abascal and Ortega-Smith have been simmering for some time. Ortega-Smith reportedly expressed surprise at his recent demotions, describing them as “wrong and unjust.” Abascal responded with a football analogy, suggesting Ortega-Smith needed to “learn to step aside” and acknowledging the party had a “large bench” of potential replacements. Ortega-Smith, in turn, likened himself to an experienced “forward” who knows how to “score goals.”

Prior to his expulsion, Ortega-Smith’s remaining prominent role was as Vox’s spokesperson in the Madrid City Council, a position he now no longer holds. His continued presence in the party, despite his diminishing influence, had been seen by some as a potential source of friction.

The expulsion follows a pattern of perceived provocations by Ortega-Smith. He attended an event hosted by Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, a figure considered uncomfortable by Vox leadership, and made a public appearance at the October 12 military parade, despite Abascal’s decision to boycott the event due to the presence of the current government.

While Ortega-Smith retains his seat as a member of Congress – a position that is personal and non-transferable – his future within the party appears uncertain. The move by Abascal’s leadership signals a clear desire to consolidate control and eliminate internal dissent within Vox.