Sánchez Calls Security Council on Ceuta Crisis After 26 Days of Migrant Pressure
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Aug 24
Sánchez Calls Security Council on Ceuta Crisis After 26 Days of Migrant Pressure
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Aug 24
Summary
Tuesday’s 8:30 a.m. meeting at Madrid’s Moncloa Palace will be Sánchez’s first emergency National Security Council session since tens of thousands crossed from Morocco into Ceuta 26 days ago.
The move follows two online coordination meetings with ministers on Aug. 7 and 17, but marks an escalation because the council brings together cabinet members with defense and intelligence chiefs.
Pressure on Sánchez had built for weeks as Ceuta authorities struggled with the influx and critics argued the government was reacting too slowly.
Antonio Maíllo of Izquierda Unida called such a meeting “essential” earlier this month and urged a rethink of Spain’s relationship with Morocco, while the opposition People’s Party mocked the delay after Monday’s announcement.
Why did Spain wait nearly a month to declare a security emergency after tens of thousands breached its borders from Morocco?
How will the EU respond to allegations that a key ally weaponized thousands of migrants to extract diplomatic concessions from Spain?
Did foreign intelligence and social media disinformation intentionally orchestrate the massive Ceuta border breach to destabilize Europe's southern frontier?