The political crisis surrounding the Vox spokesperson and second deputy mayor of Alcalá de Henares, Víctor Acosta, entered a new phase with an extraordinary Spokespersons' Board meeting. However, by the end of the day, the judicial situation remained unchanged, with no procedural developments altering the initial scenario.
The main news emerged not from the meeting but from statements made by Mayoress Judith Piquet in an interview with SER Henares. She unequivocally stated that Víctor Acosta would continue as Vox spokesperson, councilor, and member of the municipal government unless a judicial resolution justified a different decision. These remarks come amid growing political pressure from PSOE and Más Madrid, who deem the municipal government's response insufficient and demand immediate action against the Vox councilor.
While the PP and Vox frame the debate around the presumption of innocence, the left-wing opposition argues that protection for complainants and political accountability should be activated regardless of the case's judicial progress. The Mayoress defended that the procedure is in its early stages and recalled that no judicial resolution currently establishes responsibility, emphatically stating: "He will continue to be my colleague, he will continue to be my government partner."
Piquet also asserted that the presumption of innocence must apply irrespective of political affiliation and denounced a potential double standard. She compared the situation to other proceedings involving officials linked to the PSOE, stressing that respect for judicial guarantees should be equal for all.
The Mayoress explicitly denied reports published by El País alleging an internal investigation within the City Council that had been halted due to judicialization, stating the council had not provided such information. She confirmed speaking with the affected female civil servants, explaining it as part of her duties.
Following the Spokespersons' Board meeting, the Socialist Group hardened its stance, demanding detailed explanations from the Mayoress regarding prior knowledge of the conflict, the City Council's involvement in precautionary measures against a media outlet, and recent labor decisions. The PSOE insists on activating anti-harassment measures and believes the Mayoress should intervene more directly, maintaining their demand for Acosta's removal.
Más Madrid Alcalá described the meeting's outcome as a "disappointment," emphasizing that the priority should be protecting whistleblowers, which they consider compatible with the presumption of innocence. They question the municipal government's explanations about prior knowledge and internal mechanisms, recalling Vox's stance in similar cases elsewhere.
The Spokespersons' Board meeting confirmed the political polarization: the PP and Vox await judicial developments, while the PSOE and Más Madrid demand immediate political and administrative action. However, Víctor Acosta's procedural status remains unchanged, awaiting a judicial ruling.
