Thousands Rally in Madrid Against Government's Immigration Response
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Madrid to voice their discontent with the Spanish government's handling of the recent influx of migrants into the exclave of Ceuta. The protesters waved Spanish flags and chanted slogans demanding that "Ceuta must be defended," accusing the government of failing to secure the nation's borders. The rally, organized by the right-wing organization Sociedad Civil Española, received backing from the conservative People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party. While the central government estimated turnout at around 20,000 participants, organizers claimed that the number reached an astonishing 180,000.
In a manifesto released prior to the protest, the organizers called for early parliamentary elections by mid-November and demanded the expulsion of all migrants from Ceuta, along with legal proceedings against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for treason. Miguel Tellado, a spokesperson for the People's Party, emphasized the sentiment among the Spanish populace, stating, "The majority of Spaniards are calling for elections now," as the next regular parliamentary elections are scheduled for August 2027.
Ceuta Continues to Experience Challenges
In the wake of a massive influx at the end of July, when over 70,000 individuals crossed from Morocco into Ceuta by foot or swimming, many have since returned or been sent back. However, thousands of migrants remain in the small 18-square-kilometer territory located in North Africa, leading to ongoing protests from local residents. According to reports from the newspaper "El País," the government plans to enact a decree next week intended to facilitate the deportation of refugees back to Morocco. This measure aims to shorten the processing times for asylum applications, further intensifying the ongoing debate surrounding migration policies in Spain.
As reported by suedtirolnews.it.
