Vox’s leadership reshuffle in Spain brought a wave of changes aimed at widening regional representation, including more voices from diverse areas. Yet the move did not indicate a broad easing of control. In Alicante, voices within the party note that the presence of two Valencian Community provinces in leadership circles keeps the Alicante faction at a disadvantage. Valencia is led by Vicente Barrera, the vice president of the regional government, while Castellón is headed by Llanos Massó, who presides over the regional parliament in Valencia. Alicante residents within Vox feel they have been re-victimized by earlier developments, such as Ana Vega’s removal as speaker of the Cortes and the longer-standing gaps in institutional representation on the regional council or the regional parliamentary board. Abascal’s proposal awaits approval at the Extraordinary General Assembly scheduled for January 27.
good results
Vox’s situation in Alicante highlights two notable patterns. First, Valencia and Castellón are both represented in the top leadership. Second, there is a sense that the province’s recent electoral gains, relative to other regions, have not translated into greater recognition for Abascal. Public sentiment reflects this frustration when comparisons are made with Castellón’s numbers. In the last two regional elections, Alicante earned four and five seats, while Castellón secured two and three seats. Nationally, the deputies range from three and two for Alicante to one and one for Castellón. Regarding local governance, Alicante maintains around seventy councillors, whereas Castellón barely exceeds twenty. Overall, Alicante has a larger vote share than both Valencia and Castellón in the general election. It is also noted that the only major state-level institutional position currently held by the region is the regional Minister of Justice, Eduardo Ruiz.
Vega’s replacement in Cortes divides Vox in Alicante and opens the door to leadership change
In Alicante, the ascent of Llanos Massó under Abascal’s leadership signals a broader shift toward a faction described as ultra-Catholic within Vox. Strengthening this bloc is the reinforcement of Ignacio Garriga, who remains a key vice president. The greatest support within Alicante came from Javier Ortega Smith and Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, though Espinosa de los Monteros is no longer in the role, and Ortega Smith serves as a member of the new administration alongside four regional vice presidents, including Vicente Barrera. Other regional vice presidents named include Juan García-Gallardo, José Ángel Antelo, and Alejandro Nolasco. Vox insiders in Alicante say these leaders will attend meetings to confirm the direction set by Abascal and Garriga.
Ortega Smith
The Alicante delegation has long maintained a strong link with Ortega Smith, and local Vox representatives feel the province is undergoing a purge after a fall from grace. The reshaping of leadership within the Valencian Community became apparent in December when Ana Vega was replaced by José María Llanos as the Cortes speaker. Vega, now vice president, is facing a change in control in Alicante as part of this shift. National figures such as David Garcia or the regional candidate in Elche, Aurora Rodil, are among the earliest names floated as potential successors.
Alongside this, Barrera’s entry to the leadership ranks coincided with a distancing by the Generalitat Valenciana president Carlos Mazón from criticism of former Consell president Ximo Puig following his role in the tribute to Manuel Broseta marking the 32nd anniversary of his death at the hands of ETA. Mazón stated that he disagreed with Puig yet acknowledged the memorial was at the explicit wish of Broseta’s children. Barrera later filed a criminal complaint on social networks over comments that linked Puig to a broader political context and accused him of aligning with those who, in Vox’s view, destabilized the country’s security and institutions.