Overview

• Atenea debuted in Madrid with an overflow crowd and a cross‑section of right‑leaning figures from PP, Vox and ex‑Ciudadanos, alongside controversial attendees Víctor de Aldama and Daniel Esteve.
• PP secretary general Miguel Tellado was expected but pulled out at the last minute for agenda reasons, though PP was represented by Juan Bravo and Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo.
• Vox leader Santiago Abascal did not attend, while Javier Ortega Smith showed up and downplayed internal frictions as he greeted Espinosa.
• The association rejects public funding, is recruiting paying “ambassadors” with annual fees of roughly €99–€210, and aims to evolve into a foundation.
• Espinosa called for a “cese de hostilidades” and “generosidad” between PP and Vox and said Atenea’s first work will address the rule of law and democratic quality, with leadership that includes Inés Cañizares, Fran Hervías and José Ramón Bauzá.