The immigration crisis in Ceuta has pushed Pedro Sánchez's government into a defensive position, while Spanish political actors have just returned from their summer holidays. Weeks after the crisis began, the situation remains unresolved, with about 80,000 migrants having entered Ceuta in late July, of which 5,482 are still there.
Negative Impacts on the Government
There are intense debates about how the government is managing this crisis, which has been accompanied by nationwide protests, deeper cultural wars, and violent attacks on migrants in Ceuta. This situation, especially with the upcoming elections, has provided more space for right-wing parties like the People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party to set the political agenda.
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The Sánchez government had previously positioned itself as a human rights advocate with initiatives to legalize migrants. However, the Ceuta crisis has reversed this momentum, now focusing on insecurity and the expulsion of migrants. Right-wing parties have described this crisis as an "invasion" and are using it to define their political identity.
Delayed Response and Its Consequences
The Sánchez government took over a month to respond to the Ceuta crisis, a delay that extended through the August holidays and allowed other actors to establish their narrative of the event. While the crisis was rapidly escalating, Sánchez was mostly responding to an agenda set by others.
This delay has also had serious consequences for the thousands of migrants trapped in uncertain legal status in Ceuta. The government could have responded to this crisis with immediate actions, including holding an emergency cabinet meeting in Ceuta, but instead, it fueled political despair.
Tensions with Morocco have always been a feature of Spanish politics, and this crisis recalls the 2021 crisis that coincided with a diplomatic dispute over medical treatment for Ibrahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front. As elections approach, pressure on Sánchez's government has increased, and polls indicate that the Socialist Party (PSOE) is at risk of losing its majority.
Ultimately, the Ceuta crisis will serve as a turning point in the management of immigration and national security in Spain, with long-term implications for the political future of Sánchez's government.
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