Spain’s Opposition Leader Accuses PM of Being “Submissive” to Morocco

Spain’s main opposition leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has accused Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government of being “submissive” towards Morocco while being tough on allied nations. The comments came during a political event in Getafe, where Feijóo appeared alongside Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Feijóo criticized the government’s handling of the migrant crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. He claimed the administration is “distant with the king of Spain and reverential with the king of Morocco.” He added, “They are the most monarchist in the wrong country.” The crisis refers to a mass entry of around 70,000 migrants into Ceuta in late July. Feijóo stated that the government is “implacable with communities overwhelmed by minors” but “gentle with illegal immigration mafias.” He also said Spain “should not ask for permission or forgiveness to maintain its territorial integrity.” Ayuso went further, alleging that Morocco’s intelligence services coordinated the migrant entries. “There has been a coordinated action from Rabat,” she said, claiming Sánchez “denies the truth and lies.” She argued that Spain is “alone and weak” under the current government. Both leaders also attacked Sánchez for not cutting short his vacation during the crisis. Ayuso said a political leader has no right to rest when the country is facing problems. “When things are bad, you stay with your people,” she stated. Feijóo also called on Defense Minister Margarita Robles to allow the director of Spain’s intelligence agency (CNI), Esperanza Casteleiro, to testify before parliament. He said Spaniards have the “right to know the truth” about what happened in Ceuta. The event marked the start of the political season for the Popular Party (PP) ahead of regional and municipal elections. Feijóo promised to defeat Sánchez, saying, “We are going to remove Pedro Sánchez from power.” He urged party members not to be overconfident, warning that their opponents “can do anything to stay in power.” Ayuso described Sánchez’s government as a “totalitarian project” and accused it of attacking Spain’s unity and border defenses. She claimed that what is happening in Ceuta “is happening all over Spain at a slower speed.” Notably, neither leader mentioned the ongoing controversy over Ayuso’s purchase of a luxury apartment in Madrid. The regional government bought the property for €6.7 million and has since put it up for sale to fund wildfire reconstruction efforts. Ayuso has previously refused to give further explanations, saying everything had already been said.