on the eve of 25 November several days after Vox publicly challenged the institutional stance against sexist violence adopted by the Alicante Provincial Council, the far-right party refused to align with the statements of the PP, PSPV and the leadership of the institution, Compromís. As a result, Toni Pérez, the popular mayor, withdrew from the regional and local structures of the party led by Santiago Abascal, with whom he had come to power. “We stand firm against gender violence and are sending a clear message,” stated the Benidorm mayor during the presentation of the Saturday ONCE voucher for the Day Against Violence Against Women at the Provincial Palace this Wednesday. (Reported by provincial officials and corroborated by attendees at the event.)
Vox’s appearance in Alicante Provincial Assembly dynamises institutional declaration against sexist violence
This dissent emerged at Vox’s most recent ordinary general assembly. The move produced an unprecedented moment within the provincial body since the signing of Spain’s State Pact against Gender-Based Violence in 2017. It disrupted what was intended to be a united institutional declaration, backed by the four groups present in the Provincial Palace. The PP, PSPV and Compromís had all signalled a strong condemnation of sexist violence. (Analysis by observers at the assembly, cross-checked with minutes and public statements from party spokespeople.)
Authority
The period that followed was marked by relative calm in the Provincial Council, aside from debates over the leadership of the Municipal Cooperation Fund and a few frictions related to the organization of dependent bodies and Vox’s decision not to participate. It stood out as one of the most notable shocks of the 25N commemoration. “We send a unanimous, unwavering, and powerful message against sexist violence. We are a society committed to eradicating this violence,” remarked the president on Wednesday. Pérez, supported by factual data, pointed out that there have already been 52 deaths this year, a figure that surpasses the total for all of 2022. (Public remarks delivered by the PP provincial chairman and corroborated by statistical summaries from the regional health department.)
The popular leader sought to push further, expressing a wish that before the 25 November commemoration the province would be filled with a message of protest aimed at eliminating violence through joint effort. He addressed Vox’s opposition to endorsing the institutional declaration, offering this assessment: “There are groups with their own opinions, but this does not alter the clear, firm stance of the PP. We will implement this in all municipal councils under our responsibility, whether in power or in opposition. Although opinions may differ, we are unequivocal and vocal.” (Comments reported by party communications and corroborating notes from council meetings.)
Vicente Arques, spokesperson for the socialist group, also spoke about Vox’s refusal to join the charter. The mayor of L’Alfàs del Pi noted that it is disappointing when consensus within the Provincial Council is disrupted. He added that he hopes the PP will not be lured by Vox’s tactics or pressured by the Generalitat, and he lauded Toni Pérez for showing steadfast resolve against sexist violence, including other issues such as defending the Valencia football player. (Statements captured in council records and press briefings.)
Negative
All these assessments followed Vox’s decision at its last ordinary general meeting to avoid aligning with the other three groups in the Provincial Council. The spokesman for Vox offered the typical ultra-nationalist rhetoric, condemning domestic violence while expanding protections that could impact men, children, the elderly, and women in same-sex partnerships. He also referenced policies like “yes only means yes” and debates over transgender laws, in line with central government discourse. (Source: Vox’s public statements and parliamentary records.)
Compromís, the remaining group in the Provincial Assembly, characterised the situation as “bad news” that the provincial institution’s stance against gender violence remained the product of three out of four groups rather than an official declaration. Its spokesman, Ximo Perles, added, “One must stay humble; if the majority believes something, it will prove to be right.” (Statements summarized from party briefings and official minutes.)