Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has sharply criticised several EU governments for what he called a selfish and polarising response to the flood of migrants crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Sanchez said he had serious concerns about some European governments that have used the crisis to push restrictive border policies. The enclave received around 60,000 migrants in a matter of weeks, overwhelming local authorities and prompting a political showdown within the bloc.
Clash Over EU Migration Rules
The crisis has exposed deep divisions in the EU over how to handle migration. Portugal Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said his government was considering reinforcing border checks, a move that would set a precedent for internal EU borders. Several other member states called for emergency talks at the European level.
Von der Leyen said the images from Ceuta were unacceptable. She said no one should be allowed to enter the EU without abiding by its rules, but stopped short of endorsing the hardline measures demanded by some capitals.
Morocco Under Pressure
The mass crossings have raised questions about Morocco role as a gatekeeper for migration into Europe. Rabat has faced growing pressure from Brussels to stem the flows, while also pushing for more financial support and political concessions in return. The relationship between the EU and Morocco has been strained in recent months over trade disputes and Western Sahara.
Sanchez has argued that unilateral border measures by EU states undermine the principle of solidarity that underpins the bloc migration framework. He called for a coordinated European response based on burden-sharing rather than what he described as political opportunism.
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