Nearly All Spaniards Hold Morocco Accountable for Ceuta's Migration Crisis
A recent survey conducted by the 40dB institute for El País and Cadena SER reveals that a staggering 90% of Spaniards believe that the Moroccan government is largely responsible for the massive influx of migrants into Ceuta that occurred at the end of July. In addition, around 72% of respondents also attribute significant blame to the Spanish government led by Pedro Sánchez for exacerbating this crisis.
The survey, which included 2,000 online interviews conducted between Monday and Wednesday of the previous week, coincides with the release of a report from the Spanish police indicating potential involvement from certain Moroccan entities. These findings highlight a deep-seated dissatisfaction among the Spanish public regarding the government's handling of the crisis, with approximately 63% rating Sánchez's actions as "poor" or "very poor." Only 14.2% of those surveyed deemed the government's response as "good" or "very good."
When it comes to migration policies, 70% of participants expressed a desire for stricter border controls, even if it meant limiting entry for vulnerable individuals who require protection. Conversely, fewer than 20% advocated for welcoming these individuals, despite the risk of increased migrant arrivals. This strict stance is mirrored in public sentiment towards Morocco, where 45.7% of respondents support a tougher stance in relations with Rabat, while 36.8% believe that enhancing cooperation is crucial for effective border control. Additionally, 8.2% prefer to maintain the status quo in relations with Morocco.
The crisis in Ceuta has captivated the Spanish public's attention, with over 83% of respondents closely following the situation, and more than 60% considering it one of Spain's most significant challenges. The survey results also reveal that the far-right Vox party is gaining traction in this context, with 27% of respondents believing it is best equipped to manage the migration issue, compared to 18.4% for the Socialist Party and 13.9% for the Popular Party. Regarding the future of Ceuta and Melilla, 63.6% support Spain's sovereignty over these territories, while 16.8% are open to dialogue with Morocco, and merely 3.9% favor ceding them.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
