Overview

• The former Vox spokesman launched Atenea at the Colegio de Arquitectos de Madrid before an overflow crowd, presenting it as a liberal‑conservative platform outside party structures.
• PP figures Juan Bravo and Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo attended while PP secretary‑general Miguel Tellado, previously announced, withdrew at the last minute citing agenda reasons.
• Vox’s Javier Ortega Smith appeared unannounced and stressed his personal support for Espinosa de los Monteros, signaling distance from his party’s leadership.
• Controversial attendees included businessman Víctor de Aldama, linked to the Koldo case, and Desokupa leader Daniel Esteve, whose presence drew immediate scrutiny.
• Atenea starts as an association aiming to become a foundation, rejects public funding, recruits fee‑paying ‘ambassadors’ (€99–€210 annually), installs a cross‑right board including Inés Cañizares, José Ramón Bauzá and Fran Hervías, and plans an initial report on the state of rights and democratic quality in Spain.