Spain’s foreign policy is facing growing friction within the European Union. Former EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell openly criticized the European Commission and its president, Ursula von der Leyen, over their handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Speaking at the closing session of Quo Vadis Europa at the Universidad Internacional Menéndez y Pelayo, Borrell argued that Spain’s increasingly independent positions, particularly on Israel, the United States, and migration, come at a cost: political isolation in Brussels.
Borrell, long at odds with von der Leyen over the EU’s response to Gaza, climate policy, and relations with the US, described Spain as a counter-model within the bloc. He said Spain’s alignment with the Global South and its readiness to challenge the EU consensus have cost it influence. “Spain has won support from the Global South by taking different positions from most of Europe, but that comes with a price. It marginalizes Spain within the Union,” Borrell stated.
The Spanish government’s recent foreign policy moves have sharpened this divide. Madrid has taken a more vocal stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez labeling the attacks “genocide.” On migration, Spain’s regularization policies and openness have contributed to economic growth, but also drawn criticism from 22 EU countries, led by Italy and Denmark, especially after the Ceuta border crisis. Borrell said migration remains divisive, eroding European unity and fueling public anxiety even as data shows irregular migration is declining.
Beyond the Middle East and migration, Borrell pointed to major pressures facing Europe: a weakening security relationship with the United States, commercial competition from China, and military threats from Russia alongside instability in the Middle East. He also criticized the rollback of green and technological advances in the EU, blaming recent policy shifts backed by right-wing and far-right parties in the European Parliament. In Borrell’s view, migration has become the “final straw,” deepening fractures within European political families.
Spain’s approach contrasts with what Borrell described as the EU’s retreat from its founding values. He accused von der Leyen of abandoning the idea that Europe should guarantee the old international order. Spain, by contrast, has positioned itself as a defender of traditional European principles, particularly through its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and its more open migration policies. Borrell warned, but, that this course brings tension and less influence within the EU structure.
The debate over Spain’s foreign policy comes amid broader questions about the EU’s ability to maintain unity on security, migration, and international relations. The Ceuta border incident, which exposed divisions among Spanish and EU officials, remains a reference point in ongoing disputes. For example, a recent review of intelligence failures during the Ceuta crisis highlighted the challenges of managing migration and border security within the EU.
Spain’s foreign policy has changed significantly since the era of Felipe González, with the current government seeking to establish a distinct international identity. The country’s economic growth, partly driven by migration, contrasts with the more restrictive approaches favored by other EU members. As external and internal pressures mount, Spain’s willingness to challenge consensus may shape its role in Europe for years to come. The debate highlights the delicate balance between national interests and collective EU action as the bloc navigates a rapidly changing global field.
