The leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, admitted discrepancies this morning in the meeting of his party's leadership, where it was decided to break the government pacts with the Popular Party (PP) in five autonomous communities: Castilla y León, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, Aragón, and Extremadura. Additionally, Vox joined the opposition in the Balearic Islands, where it previously supported the PP Executive from outside. Abascal emphasized that the decision was made by majority and that the debate lasted three hours, allowing everyone to speak freely, highlighting that 'Vox is not a North Korean party.'
Abascal acknowledged the concerns of the four regional vice presidents who have announced their resignation, noting their worries about the people involved in these governments who now face difficult personal situations. However, he stressed that decisions in Vox are made based on principles, not positions. He also admitted the possibility that some officials might break discipline and choose to remain in their government roles despite the party's decision.
Following Abascal's comments, it was revealed that Ignacio Higuero de Juan, the advisor of Vox in Extremadura, will continue in the Executive of the popular María Guardiola, stating that 'Vox does not represent my ideals now.' Similarly, Gonzalo Santonja, the Minister of Culture and Sports of Castilla y León, will remain in his position as announced by the regional president, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco. Meanwhile, other Vox officials in Castilla y León, Aragón, and Murcia have resigned from their positions.
Despite the break with the PP, Abascal assured that Vox's voters are satisfied with the party's firm decisions. He clarified that the break will not extend to the hundred city councils where they govern together with the PP, except in cases where city councils actively collaborate with the distribution of unaccompanied foreign minors, which Vox refers to derogatorily as 'menas.'
Abascal ruled out the resignation of the presidents of the four regional parliaments that belong to Vox, stating that these parliamentary institutions have nothing to do with the governments. In the Balearic Islands, Vox will join the opposition and stop supporting the Government of Marga Prohens from outside. However, the coalition agreement in the Consell de Mallorca, where Vox holds a vice presidency and the Ministry of Local Cooperation, will be maintained.
Contrary to most analysts' opinions, Abascal denied that the breaking of pacts with the PP is due to the emergence of Alvise Pérez's list, The Party is Over, which obtained significant votes in the last European elections. He asserted that Vox's decisions are made independently.
