Orihuela City Council Vox councilor Asunción Aniorte issued a detailed explanation of his reasons amid rumors and controversy about potentially taking the Ciudadanos podium. He clarified his decision to distance himself entirely from the party and the training slate, outlining what led to that break.
One of his central criticisms was a refusal to sign an agreement that would have redirected the full allocation granted by the Municipal Council to municipal groups into the Vox Spain account, with Vox issuing the corresponding invoice for the services involved. He highlighted that no penny would be touched from the allocation, noting that all expenses during his four years in office were charged to his own account, including printing, ink, paper, stationery, and internet services.
Vox, according to Aniorte, has become a party of ties and nepotism. He argued that its municipal programs mirror national approaches or lack a clear understanding of Orihuela’s real needs, lacking practical value for the city. At the latest gathering in Orihuela with the team that had worked hardest for the party, the decision was made to separate entirely and disaffiliate. He mentioned that many members and supporters felt disappointed and believed the political establishment had ceased to inspire and motivate them after nearly five years.
Aniorte admitted following party guidelines when public statements were presented as if they were mandatory, or when he voted for Joan Manuel Serrat to be named the adopted son, a decision he says always prevailed.
Making the list
He added that he did not understand the Provincial Executive Board’s stance. He claimed the CEP lied about there being no candidacy and noted that the mayor bore responsibility when it became clear that authority over the list was lacking. Regarding the Vox candidate in Orihuela, Alicante’s deputy and Air Force Lieutenant General Manuel Mestre stated that Madrid had proposed the candidacy. He spoke of an honorable exit from Congress but felt it was not the right path for Orihuela, since most member organizations opposed it.
Earlier, at the start of 2019, Mestre reportedly encouraged bringing in youth. A few months later, Mestre and Ana Vega supposedly imposed a young nephew as a candidate in the 2019 elections. Vega later described the pressure as a means to secure a deputy seat. Aniorte recalled that Mestre repeated the process, privileging a family member and sidelining other qualified collaborators. He stressed that surrender was not his style and rejected a subordinate, “sir, yes sir” dynamic.
Aniorte claimed to have witnessed the candidate’s temperament firsthand when something displeased him: loudness, misogyny, and deception, and he refused to tolerate being shouted at. He also paid tribute to the hard work of others over the four-year period, emphasizing that he never doubted the value of their contributions.
Lies
On the accusation of being a liar, Aniorte pressed back, saying that the individual in question had claimed he made remarks to PP and PSOE councilors that would mislead members or supporters, which he denied. He rejected the idea that he planned to move to Alicante or Valencia and argued that public officials should not be praised by humiliating others. The character of the person involved was laid bare by Aniorte as a point of critique.
What Mestre did not disclose, according to Aniorte, was that the former coordinator had accused him before the Committee of Guarantees of failing to follow the party charter. He said this occurred after Aniorte reported concerns about rule compliance, a stance not favored by CEP and Intermunicipalities because it challenged the status quo or because some could not see him in a leadership role.
Regarding the lists, Aniorte said the district coordinator requested a slate at Ana Vega’s urging. He claimed Vega’s kind words did not carry weight and stressed that the slate included people who would not have accepted it, noting a potential bias against younger or older candidates who performed well in office. Vega had warned that no one on that slate supported Mestre, and the group would not stand as candidates, a warning that carried lasting impact.
He added that many Oriolanos want him to explain what happened and what Mestre and his supporters said about him. He insisted that he had never met the party figure in question and did not seek a seat, even if it had been offered. Aniorte spoke with a sense of responsibility toward the residents who rely on the city’s information boards across districts, beaches, and neighborhoods, expressing regret over obstruction, laziness, shouting, arrogance, and even lies or threats. He declared a complete break from a party in which many councilors and coordinators had already departed and warned that more would follow when merit is undervalued and personal friendships prevail.
In closing, Aniorte stated that his remarks are not a product of past resentment or anger. He hinted at further disclosures but chose to stay close to the neighbors he serves and those who have shown him support. He highlighted Orihuela’s achievements and the work carried out for the city as the guiding force behind his decisions, always prioritizing the city over party colors. He thanked the associations and residents he encountered, acknowledging that a long list would miss many names. He singled out Miguel Sánchez for helping contribute to the city’s growth and expressed gratitude for the ongoing support that keeps Orihuela expanding through concerted effort and shared purpose.