In a statement released this Saturday, Vox has responded to the complaint filed by the Association Dones Progressistes before the Prosecutor’s Office of Ibiza against its councilors at the City Council of Sant Josep. The political formation has described the legal action as an attempt by the “extreme left” to “invalidate the democratic results obtained in the municipal elections”. According to Vox, the allegations made against their councilors Araceli Colomar and Raquel Ripoll for alleged hate crimes are unfounded and respond to a strategy of “harassment” towards their representatives. In the statement, the party questions the role of Dones Progressistes, pointing out that it is “a minority group that does not represent all women”, and accuses them of seeking notoriety through “useless complaints” and “diverting attention from more relevant social problems”.
Context of the complaint
The complaint is based on two controversial resolutions supported by Vox councilors in Sant Josep.. The first, regarding the proposal to change the name of a street dedicated to the trade unionist Margarita Roig ‘Llogat’, and the second, the removal of purple signs against gender violence installed in 2020 in the municipality. From Dones Progressistes, they consider that these actions have an ideological background that undermines women’s rights and constitute a possible hate crime. For its part, Vox has pointed out that such decisions are framed within their right to ideological and political freedom. “You cannot criminalize the democratic exercise of our functions in the plenary of the City Council,” the statement said.
The Vox message
In its response, Vox insists that its representatives will not be intimidated and will continue to defend its values and proposals. “Our women will not be intimidated by these threats.” reads the text. In addition, they accuse the association of “wasting time on complaints that will not prosper in court” instead of addressing real problems such as the housing crisis, hunger queues or the protection of girls under guardianship. The party has also stated that it will continue to work to “change society from democracy and European cultural values”, stressing that they will not allow their fundamental rights to be violated. The Prosecutor’s Office of Ibiza will evaluate the complaint filed by Dones Progressistes to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to initiate a formal investigation against Vox councilors in Sant Josep.
