Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Spain to protest the government’s handling of a migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with demonstrators demanding stronger border controls and greater action from Madrid.
The protests, held on Wednesday, were particularly large in Madrid and Ceuta, where the influx of migrants from neighbouring Morocco has placed enormous pressure on local authorities and sparked growing political tensions.
The crisis began in late July when about 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco in a mass border breach. At least 90 people died during the episode, while thousands of migrants remain in the enclave.
In Madrid, about 50,000 people were reported to have joined the demonstrations. Thousands more rallied in Ceuta and other Spanish cities.
Many protesters carried Spanish flags and accused Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s left-wing government of failing to protect the enclave and respond adequately to the crisis.
Some demonstrators called for migrants to be expelled and demanded Sánchez’s resignation.
The protests were backed by Spain’s conservative opposition, including the People’s Party and the far-right Vox, which have pressed the government to adopt tougher immigration and border policies.
Ceuta’s regional authorities have also criticised Madrid, arguing that the enclave has been left to cope with a crisis beyond its capacity.
The central government has rejected accusations that it abandoned Ceuta. Sánchez has pledged €309 million in assistance and defended his administration’s response.
The Spanish government has also sought additional European support, including assistance from Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, to help process migrants in Ceuta.
The situation has become increasingly contentious, with migrants living in temporary shelters and other precarious conditions. Local authorities and aid organisations have differed over the number of migrants still in the enclave, with estimates running into several thousand.
Sánchez has also rejected claims that Morocco deliberately organised the mass border crossing, saying there is no solid evidence that Moroccan authorities orchestrated the influx.
The demonstrations have deepened the political debate over migration in Spain, with the government facing pressure to balance border security with the humanitarian needs of migrants caught in the continuing crisis.
