Ana Vega continues to lead Vox in the Alicante province, at least for the moment. The provincial president remains at the helm of the provincial executive committee of the Santiago Abascal party, effectively securing a continuing line of influence. Vox is portrayed as a highly hierarchical organization where strategic decisions are coordinated from Madrid and not subject to local vote. An ultra-Catholic faction is also a notable influence within the party. In the Valencian Community, Ignacio Gil Lázaro and Llanos Massó work to consolidate control over Alicante after already establishing authority in Valencia and Castellón. This dynamic is underscored by the promotion of José María Llanos to ombudsman in the Cortes of Valencia, a move seen as a challenge to Vega.
Abascal’s shadow in Alicante
Alicante’s provincial leadership advocates for a state committee plan in Madrid. The fact that Vega earned Abascal’s approval signals his continued central role in national decisions. Vega is actively seeking like-minded individuals to form a cohesive team and nominate the profiles deemed best suited to cover all operational areas. He has surrounded himself with Mireia Moya, a speaker in Santa Pola, Miguel Pascual and José Muñoz, deputies in the Cortes, and Óscar Castillo and Carmen Robledillo, councilors in Alicante. Moya will serve as deputy chairman of the committee and will coordinate the inter-municipal area. Pascual will hold the roles of secretary and treasurer. Munoz becomes the deputy provincial secretary for the Organization, Castillo oversees corporate affairs, and Robledillo supervises legal matters.
Alicante remains outside Abascal’s expanded circle within Vox
A Vox provincial committee in Alicante has been formalized alongside the news that Abascal will extend his presidency of the ultra-party through 2028. Shortly after, it was revealed that the Alicante province would be excluded from a segment of the executive branch. The strongest backing for Vox’s Alicante team came from Javier Ortega Smith and Iván Espinosa de los Monteros. The latter remains inactive, while the former has been incorporated as a member of the new administration. Both Valencia and Castellón are represented in Abascal’s administration via the first vice president. Vicente Barrera and Llanos Massó hold significant roles within the Generalitat and Cortes respectively, even though the electoral yield in those provinces did not match Alicante’s results.
Leadership dynamics
With Vega’s re-election as chairman of the provincial committee, a moment of respite arrived amid growing indications that Alicante’s political landscape is fragmenting. The ultra-Catholic faction appears determined to expand its reach into the southern Valencian Community, drawing support from allied politicians such as Ignacio Garriga, Jorge Buxadé, and Ignacio de Hoces, all of whom have associations with Abascal. On the horizon, potential successors to Vega include David García, a congressional deputy, and Aurora Rodil, Elche’s municipal spokesperson, as possible future leaders who could shift the provincial balance of power.