Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Partido Popular, recently arrived on Formentera—a small island that has drawn public attention in recent months due to a sharp rise in the number of undocumented migrants. Local residents, of whom there are only about 12,000, have long been raising the alarm: their infrastructure cannot cope with the flow of people arriving by boat from Algeria.
Together with the head of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, Feijóo inspected coastal areas where migrant landings are most frequently recorded. Both politicians did not hide their disappointment with the actions of the central government, which they believe is ignoring the region’s problems. According to them, the situation on the islands worsens year by year, with the crisis becoming especially acute since 2024.
Feijóo believes that the current migration crisis is the result of negligent and ineffective policies by the Pedro Sánchez government. He criticized the prime minister for failing to secure the coastline and not allocating the necessary resources to support local infrastructure. In his view, this stance only fuels the interests of criminal groups engaged in people smuggling.
The statistics of recent years are indeed striking: while fewer than 100 boats carrying migrants arrived in the Balearics in 2017, by mid-2025 the number had already exceeded 300, with more than 5,000 arrivals. Feijóo noted that the region has never experienced such an influx before and pointed out that the route through the Balearic Islands is becoming increasingly popular among undocumented migrants.
During his visit, the opposition leader met with representatives of law enforcement agencies and police unions. He noted that in recent years, the number of Spaniards concerned about illegal migration has grown significantly.
As part of the trip, Feijóo reiterated his party’s proposals to tighten migration policy. In particular, he advocates deporting all foreigners who have committed crimes in the country, even if they hold legal status. Special attention is given to repeat offenders and those who have committed crimes against sexual freedom. According to the politician, the lack of a clear policy in this area only worsens the situation.
Feijóo also stated that Spaniards should decide for themselves who can enter the country and under what conditions. He opposed turning social benefits into a permanent source of income for migrants.
According to the opposition leader, attempts at integration based on ‘kindness’ have not worked. He believes that maintaining order and security requires clear rules based on merit and adaptation. Feijóo sharply condemned the practice of distributing migrants among regions, calling it unfair and unethical. He is especially outraged by the situation with minors who, in his words, are ‘handed out’ between autonomous communities like parcels.
Marga Prohens, President of the Balearic Islands, emphasized that the problem of illegal migration in Formentera is becoming increasingly acute. She noted that the central authorities show little interest in the situation on the islands, unlike the opposition. According to her, there are currently over 700 unaccompanied minor migrants in the Balearics, with two-thirds of all those under the care of local services being such children. This year alone, more than 2,000 migrants have arrived in Formentera, and the number of minors under guardianship has reached 136.
