Pedro Sánchez and the Sahrawis: A Case of the Coventry Dilemma?

BarcelonaAs an example of the type of decisions a statesman must make, the Coventry dilemma is often cited, which affects, of course, Winston Churchill. Although the story itself is false, it is interesting to tell it and see what relationship it may have with Spanish politics.

On the night of November 14-15, 1940, the English city of Coventry was the target of a massive bombing that caused more than 500 deaths and left it practically in ruins. It is said that, a few days before the bombing, the British deciphered the Enigma machine, which encoded the Nazi army's messages, and therefore knew in advance of the Luftwaffe's plans.

Winston Churchill's dilemma was that if he evacuated Coventry, the Germans would know that they had decoded Enigma, and therefore, he would lose an advantage that could have been key to the course of the war. Legend has it that Churchill sacrificed the people of Coventry to win the war. The lesson is that statesmen must be able to make such decisions and live with them.

Meeting in Madrid

This story came to mind when I saw the image of perfect harmony presented in Madrid this week by the Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. "The relationship between the two countries is at its best in history," said the satisfied Spanish minister. And it's true. But what is the reason for this good vibe?

Now let's go back to April 2021. The then-leader of the Polisario Front, Brahim Gali, Morocco's number one enemy, asked Spain to allow him to be treated for an illness in a hospital. The then-Foreign Minister, Arancha González Laya, agreed on humanitarian grounds and admitted him to La Rioja. Morocco was outraged and began to stop controlling border crossings and trigger avalanches against the fences surrounding Ceuta and Melilla. Rabat knows it has the power to overthrow any Spanish government because it is the guardian of the border. In Madrid, Pedro Sánchez understands he must act quickly if he doesn't want the migration crisis to overwhelm him. Morocco, holding the upper hand, dictates the price: stop supporting the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and defend the Moroccan plan for autonomy within the Alawite kingdom.

Sánchez doesn't hesitate: between the Sahrawis and saving his government, he chooses the second option. He dismisses González Laya and appoints Albares precisely to rebuild relations with Morocco and prepare the betrayal of the Sahrawis. Therefore, it can be said that the current progressive government exists thanks to the sacrifice of an entire people on the altar of realpolitikSánchez is convinced it's a price worth paying. But of course, tell that to the poor inhabitants of the Tindouf camps or the victims of the Coventry bombing.

The details

Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo took advantage of his visit to Washington not only to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, but also to be interviewed on the show hosted by popular CNN host Richard Quest. Quest, an icon himself, has recently become one of the leading critics of Donald Trump's tariff policies.

The Spanish flag is once again flying over the Casa de los Canónigos, the building that formerly served as the residence of the presidents of the Generalitat (Catalan government) and now houses the Ministry of the European Union and Foreign Affairs. Salvador Illa's government installed it after receiving a request from the High Court of Justice of Catalonia following an appeal by Impulso Ciudadano (Citizens' Impulse). The gesture has already drawn criticism from the independence movement.