Feijóo's First Foreign Visit to Morocco
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the Spanish Popular Party, has declared that Morocco would be the first country he visits if he assumes the role of Prime Minister. He expressed his desire to establish a "smooth and respectful" relationship with Rabat. However, he did not shy away from criticizing the current Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, accusing him of acting more as a subordinate to Morocco than as the leader of the Spanish government. This statement was made during an extensive interview with OKDIARIO, amid the political turmoil following the recent migration crisis in Ceuta and the ongoing diplomatic relations between Madrid and Rabat.
Feijóo emphasized the necessity of maintaining good relations with Morocco for Spain, asserting that such relationships should rest on mutual respect. When asked about his first foreign visit as Prime Minister, he confidently stated that it should undoubtedly be to Morocco, reiterating that his destination would be Rabat. This aligns with a diplomatic tradition followed by previous Spanish Prime Ministers, such as Felipe González, José María Aznar, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, and Mariano Rajoy, who all chose Morocco as their first foreign visit. In contrast, Sánchez opted for Paris as his initial destination after taking office in 2018.
Political Critique and Commitment to Respect
Feijóo's announcement, however, came hand-in-hand with a sharp political critique of Sánchez's handling of relations with Morocco. He remarked that he would not replicate what he deemed Sánchez's "disdain for Morocco" at the beginning of his term, further stating that Sánchez now "behaves as a subordinate to Morocco rather than as the Prime Minister of Spain." This sentiment reflects the heightened tension introduced by Feijóo into the internal Spanish debate concerning the nature of the relationship that Sánchez's government has maintained with Rabat in recent years.
Moreover, Feijóo expressed his "absolute interest" in fostering good relations with Morocco, emphasizing that he expects mutual respect from Rabat in return for his commitment to respecting the kingdom. He also criticized the perceived lack of adequate explanations that Spain deserves regarding the recent migration crisis, asserting that Sánchez has become, in his view, incapable of adequately defending Spain's respect in its dealings with Morocco.
On the topic of Ceuta, the leader of the opposition announced his intention to return to the city, noting that he communicates daily with its local government head, Juan Vivas. He described the situation arising from the migration crisis in Ceuta as a particular concern for him, criticizing the Spanish government's portrayal of a return to normalcy while highlighting the ongoing presence of thousands of individuals within the city.
In spite of his harsh tone regarding Sánchez's management of relations with Rabat, Feijóo was keen to clarify that his plan, should he reach the Palacio de La Moncloa, would not involve severing ties with Morocco. Instead, he aims to rebuild the relationship based on what he described as trust, respect, and a firm stance regarding Spanish interests. His statements reveal a clear paradox in the Popular Party's discourse, where there is a sharp critique of Sánchez's Moroccan policy on one hand, while recognizing Morocco's importance as a strategic partner for Spain to the extent that it becomes Feijóo's potential first foreign destination if he becomes Prime Minister.
The relationship with Rabat is poised to become a significant political battleground between the Popular Party and the Socialists, especially in light of the ongoing repercussions of the Ceuta crisis and the rising internal debate regarding how Madrid should manage its relations with its southern neighbor.
As reported by assahifa.com.
