Vox in Crisis: Former Director Accuses of Corruption and Reveals Internal Pressures

The recent internal crisis in Vox has escalated with the departure of José Francisco Garre, who was the vice president of the party's Guarantees Committee. Garre publicly denounced 'pressures' and 'quasi-mafioso' behaviors by the national leadership led by Santiago Abascal. His resignation came after a coalition agreement with the PP in Torre Pacheco, where Garre is also a municipal spokesperson. This decision comes after what he describes as 'brutal fifteen days' of pressure and after refusing the expulsion of Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, which he considered unjustified.

Garre, who is also the party's spokesperson in the Torre Pacheco City Council, shared an image of his cut membership card, symbolizing his break with Vox. This was followed by a photo with Espinosa de los Monteros and José Ángel Antelo, reaffirming his stance 'Without fear of anything or anyone!'. In the context of this departure, Garre revealed that the Guarantees Committee has been transformed into a body dependent on the assistant general secretary, Montserrat Lluís, which, according to him, has affected the committee's independence.

Garre claimed to have received 'illegitimate orders' in his role within the Guarantees Committee, especially in relation to the expulsions of figures such as Ortega Smith and Espinosa de los Monteros. According to Garre, complaints used to be between affiliates or coordinators, but recently they come from Montserrat Lluís. He mentioned that he was forced to make certain resolutions 'because otherwise you are expelled or they will take measures against you'.

In an interview with El País, Garre elaborated on his accusations, mentioning a gap with the party after his abstention in the decision on Antelo. He denounced a turn in the independence of the Guarantees Committee since Abascal's re-election in January 2024. Furthermore, he accused Lluís of not meeting the requirements to be part of the National Executive Committee (CEN), but she was incorporated by the leadership. The situation worsened with a complaint against Espinosa, where, despite the committee's opinion, an unfavorable resolution was forced.

After Garre's departure, Vox issued a statement accusing him of being a 'traitor' for not communicating the agreement with the PP and for not justifying the payment of 8,480 euros. The party alleged that Garre did not justify this payment nor another of the same amount made in July 2025. In his defense, Garre acknowledged that the agreement with the mayor of the PP of Torre Pacheco was not consulted with the leadership, but argued that he had prior approval.

Garre justified the agreement by mentioning the 'desperate' situation in the municipality and the need to secure important contracts. In addition, he involved other party members in the decision, pointing out that 'in the last legislature we had some freedom, but now the party works manu militari'. Faced with these accusations, Garre announced that he is preparing a lawsuit for defamation against the party.

Garre, referring to the payments, affirmed that these corresponded to an agreement in 2023 with Rubén Martínez Alpañez, then spokesperson for the Murcian Assembly. According to Garre, he was owed that amount for providing legal advice to the party's councilors, preparing reports and drafts of bills, and directing judicial proceedings at the regional and national levels. This situation reflects the growing internal tension in Vox and the cross-accusations between its members.

This conflict has generated an environment of instability and division within the party, highlighting the discrepancies over the direction and management of internal affairs. The situation could have repercussions on Vox's public image and its ability to maintain internal cohesion.

As a new chapter in this crisis, Vox's Guarantees Committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against the former vice president of the Junta de Castilla y León, adding more tension to the party's internal situation. This action underlines the seriousness of the situation and the determination of the Vox leadership to take measures against those it considers to have acted against its interests. The opening of these disciplinary proceedings indicates an intensification of internal purges, which could lead to more departures and divisions within Vox.

This set of events suggests a critical moment for Vox, with accusations of corruption, internal pressures, and disputes over the party's direction. The situation could influence the political future of the formation and its ability to maintain its support base.