Spain’s Congress saw a heated exchange as Alberto Núñez Feijóo demanded answers from Pedro Sánchez about the Ceuta migrant crisis and Spain’s dealings with Morocco. The government’s evasive responses left the opposition calling for accountability.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo was direct in his criticism. During a tense session in Spain’s Congress, the Partido Popular leader pressed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for clear answers about the ongoing crisis in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants remain stranded weeks after a mass crossing from Morocco. Sánchez, for his part, avoided specifics.
Feijóo asked plainly: "When was the last time you spoke with Moroccan authorities? How many times since July 30? What did you ask? What did they answer?" The government has not provided details, adding to the uncertainty around Ceuta’s situation. According to Spanish and regional sources, between 10,000 and 13,000 migrants are still in the enclave, including about 2,100 unaccompanied minors. There is no clear plan for their return to Morocco. Morocco’s government has denied involvement in the mass crossing and rejected attempts to blame them, as stated by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Since August 10, more than 5,321 migrants have voluntarily returned to Morocco from Ceuta, according to Spain's Minister of Territorial Policy.
Instead of addressing these questions, Sánchez criticized the Partido Popular for their actions in the European Parliament, accusing them of trying to suspend Spain’s association agreement with Morocco. He then shifted focus to Spain’s economic performance, mentioning investment figures and credit ratings, but did not address the humanitarian and diplomatic crisis. Sánchez has said there is no evidence linking Rabat to the mass crossing and that investigations are ongoing. Spanish intelligence services had reportedly detected preparations for the crossing in advance, according to official sources.
Feijóo, frustrated, called Sánchez’s silence "a disgrace" and accused him of disrespecting both Ceuta’s residents and Spain’s territorial integrity. When Feijóo could not respond, Sánchez changed the subject to the ‘ley de nietos’—the law granting voting rights to descendants of Spanish exiles—and criticized the opposition’s stance after the Supreme Court suspended the measure. Sánchez said, "You should not fear the vote, but those who want to take it away, which is you and the far right of Vox."
Other ministers faced questions as well. Carlos Cuerpo, the first vice president, was asked by PP deputies Ester Muñoz and Juan Bravo why the government had not acted on intelligence warnings from the CNI about the expected influx, and why so many migrants remain in Ceuta. Cuerpo replied by urging the opposition to support the government’s emergency economic aid package for the city, which was being debated in the same session.
The European Commission has approved €114.7 million in emergency aid for Spain to address the migration situation in Ceuta, while the Spanish government has announced an additional €309 million package for security, reception, and local economic support.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska also spoke. Albares said he had immediately contacted Moroccan officials to demand a stop to the crossings. Marlaska repeated that intelligence reports did not predict the scale of the 2021 incident, though Defense Ministry documents suggest otherwise. The opposition was blunt: Miguel Tellado called Marlaska "objectively and subjectively incompetent," and Elías Bendodo asked if he should resign. Marlaska replied, "I believe I am right to remain in this government."
Vox’s Pepa Millán also questioned the government’s plans for Ceuta and accused ministers of telling residents to accept instability. Félix Bolaños, Minister of the Presidency, responded by pointing to the opposition’s reluctance to support aid for Ceuta, saying their words did not match their actions.
The session ended with Sánchez leaving the chamber quickly, referring journalists to Ceuta’s local president when asked about the fate of unaccompanied minors still on the streets. The government’s refusal to answer the main questions has left the opposition and many observers demanding clarity.
This session in Congress showed a government more willing to discuss economic achievements than to address the border crisis. By avoiding direct answers on Ceuta and Morocco and shifting the debate to other issues, the government risks losing public trust and leaving Ceuta’s future uncertain.
