Call for Royal Engagement in Ceuta
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of Spain's Popular Party (PP), has expressed his belief that King Felipe VI wishes to visit Ceuta, asserting that this visit is warranted given the current humanitarian, public health, and public order crisis facing the autonomous city. In light of this situation, Feijóo has requested that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government authorize the royal visit. During an interview with Europa Press, Feijóo acknowledged the significant gesture made by the King when he received Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of Ceuta, at the Marivent Palace in Palma earlier in August. Vivas’s comments indicated that the monarch is indeed eager to make this visit, pending government approval.
Feijóo emphasized that within the framework of his constitutional duties, King Felipe VI serves as the guardian of Spain's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He affirmed his conviction that the King intends to visit Ceuta, stating that such a visit would take place once the Spanish government grants the necessary permissions. When asked whether he believes the government should authorize this visit immediately, Feijóo confessed that if he were in the president's position, he would announce the King's impending trip to Ceuta. However, he added that as the head of the opposition, he lacks all pertinent information and faces numerous uncertainties regarding the influx of over 70,000 illegal migrants that occurred on July 30 and 31.
Concerns Over Government's Handling of Migration Crisis
Feijóo has called for more information to be made available in order to finalize the date of the King's visit. He underscored that it is imperative for the government to affirm that, in the face of such an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the King, as the head of state, must travel to Ceuta or any other part of Spain if similar situations arise. When asked whether a migration crisis of this magnitude would have occurred had the PP been in power, he asserted that with his party at the helm, they would have had access to intelligence from the National Intelligence Center (CNI), the immigration police, and the Civil Guard. He claimed they would have swiftly contacted Morocco to avert the surge of illegal migrants.
Moreover, Feijóo criticized Sánchez’s government, accusing it of acting with significant negligence and incompetence. He expressed his hope that there has been no complicity with Morocco regarding this migration crisis, as such an assumption would indicate a serious violation of trust. He pointed out that the government has still not clarified the reasons behind this massive influx and questioned the narrative that collaboration with Morocco is exemplary. He contrasted the government’s inaction with Vivas's proactive approach in managing a crisis not of his making.
Addressing whether Morocco is a reliable partner, Feijóo advocated for a relationship based on neighborhood and friendship, while insisting that this relationship must involve mutual respect and loyalty. He firmly stated that threats or blackmail against Spain would not be tolerated. Feijóo articulated concerns that Morocco either permitted or encouraged the recent influx of migrants, and he criticized the Spanish government for failing to act despite being aware of the situation.
When questioned about the nature of the relationship between Sánchez and Morocco, Feijóo noted that the details of their dealings were unclear but mentioned that the public would eventually uncover the truth. He accused Sánchez of behaving more like a subject of Morocco than as the President of the Spanish government, pointing out inconsistencies in diplomatic actions, such as consulting with the Italian ambassador while neglecting the Moroccan ambassador.
Following Morocco’s claims over Ceuta and Melilla, Feijóo reflected that Spain has emerged from this crisis in a weakened position. He expressed disappointment that the President did not convene all political parties for a unified declaration in defense of Spain's territorial integrity. Feijóo criticized Sánchez for attempting to divide and confront rather than unify in the face of such critical issues.
Finally, when asked if he would reverse the government's 2022 shift in policy regarding Western Sahara should he come to power, Feijóo emphasized that any position taken by the Spanish government on this matter must be submitted to the Cortes (Spanish Parliament). He indicated that if his party were to govern, they would seek to understand the details of any agreements made by Sánchez's government, which they would then present to Congress to clarify Spain’s position on the issue. He called for transparency in decisions that significantly affect Spain's historical relations with Sahara and advocated for returning to proper diplomatic forums.
As reported by abc.es.
