Political Disputes and Responses
The recent statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not directly name any political party, yet it condemned certain political and media circles in Spain. The ministry expressed astonishment that 'historical parties, which are well-versed in governmental management, have descended into this quagmire where unreasonable and populist excess prevails over common sense.' Furthermore, it firmly rejected being used as 'an electoral campaign tool.' In response, it was the Partido Popular (PP) that swiftly issued a seven-point statement, framing it as a direct reaction to the communiqué released by the Kingdom of Morocco.
The PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, began by establishing its stance: 'The defense of the general interests of the Nation, the integrity of our borders, and the safety of Spaniards is a priority that the Partido Popular will not abandon.' The party emphasized that 'nothing is above the defense of Spain,' marking a clear commitment to its national responsibilities.
Immigration and National Security Concerns
Regarding the events of July 30, the Partido Popular maintained its position, describing the massive influx of migrants into Ceuta as an 'invasion.' The party argued that this represents a serious violation of Spain's territorial integrity and, by extension, that of Europe, labeling it as a 'hybrid attack utilizing irregular immigration as a tool.' The PP demanded 'the utmost respect' for the ongoing judicial investigation, asserting that it is solely the responsibility of the Spanish judiciary to draw conclusions: 'No internal or external stance should interfere, condition, or delegitimize this process.'
This perspective, which frames immigration as leverage used by Rabat against Madrid, has gained traction in Spanish discourse following Morocco's closure of the commercial customs in Melilla in 2018 and the subsequent sealing of all land borders in 2020. This closure ended the smuggling that had previously supported both enclaves. The narrative peaked during the crisis in May 2021, where terms like 'invasion' were used by members of Vox and Isabel Díaz Ayuso, while the Socialist Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, referred to it as 'aggression' and 'blackmail.' However, such rhetoric has since been abandoned by Sánchez's government following normalization efforts in April 2022.
Referring to 'official reports declassified by the Spanish government,' the PP demanded 'a thorough and prompt evaluation' along with 'verifiable guarantees that similar incidents will not occur again,' decisively stating: 'Morocco is responsible for what transpired, whether by action or omission.'
Subsequently, the PP turned Rabat's arguments against Sánchez's government. The party expressed agreement with the Moroccan statement that posed two pertinent questions: why has the return of individuals who entered irregularly not been carried out 'if the Moroccan government has officially committed to admitting them,' and why are minors being 'kept away from their families when Morocco has urgently requested their return?' The PP insisted that 'the Spanish government is obligated to explain why it is unable to resolve this crisis if it possesses the means to do so.' It is noteworthy that the third question from the Moroccan communiqué — asking why the 'indictment against Morocco' is maintained when there is no evidence implicating Moroccan authorities — was not addressed by the PP.
The statement also expressed the PP's 'desire to maintain a loyal and stable relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco,' based on 'non-negotiable principles of mutual respect, institutional loyalty, transparency, reciprocity, and full respect for the sovereignty of both states.' It concluded, emphatically reaffirming Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla.
As reported by mobile.telquel.ma.
