Migration marks the most difficult debate for Sánchez in Europe

MadridPedro Sánchez is likely facing one of the European Union's most delicate and potentially complicated debates: migration and border control. In recent crises or key moments that have shaped European policy – European funds, the energy crisis, the Mercosur agreement, or the "no to war" stance in the face of the conflict in the Middle East – the head of the Spanish executive has boasted of having won over followers to his position – sometimes with more difficulty than others – and of emerging victorious. But the migration crisis in Ceuta, despite growing calls to refer to it as a political and humanitarian crisis, has triggered a standoff with some member states that may prove resistant.

Already at the European Council meeting last June, Pedro Sánchez was left practically alone defending extraordinary regularization and trying to curb the hardening of migration policies in Europe. In contrast, nineteen member states, governed by different political parties, issued a joint letter calling for the prompt advancement of regulations inspired by the policies promoted by Giorgia Meloni in Italy, which includes the creation of migrant centers outside the European Union. Diplomatic sources acknowledged a "tense" discussion.

For now, the standoff opened by the Ceuta crisis begins with an extraordinary meeting this Tuesday of European Interior Ministers. The Spanish minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska will connect (it will be virtual) after the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, praised Spain's management of the Ceuta crisis on Monday, specifically the "rapid returns" of people to Morocco. This letter of commendation comes after the Spanish and European People's Party (PP) have held Pedro Sánchez and his policies responsible for what happened in Ceuta. On Monday, Alberto Núñez Feijóo's party reiterated that the regularization had caused a "pull effect".

In the meeting, Marlaska will defend that Spain practices a "preventive" migratory policy, Interior sources explain. The same sources defend that it "offers stable and solid results thanks to cooperation with countries of origin and transit" among which Morocco stands out, "a loyal partner", they point out from the ministry. The head of this department will also break down the fall in irregular immigration arrivals in Spain and the "commitment" to border control. "Spain practices a responsible migratory policy and fulfills its obligations", they defend from the ministry.

More border control

But Ursula Von der Leyen also uses the letter – she dedicates a large part of it to this – to remind Spain of the existence of mechanisms to tighten border control. "Frontex is prepared to strengthen its presence in Ceuta," indicated the President of the European Commission in the letter sent this Monday to the Spanish President.

The President of the Commission anticipates that the "incident" in Ceuta "demonstrates that more efforts must be made to strengthen [European] borders at critical points, both through close surveillance and the use of physical barriers where necessary," she indicates in the letter. In this way, the Community executive focuses only on one part of migration policies – border control and cooperation with partners – and their tightening, but does not mention anything related, for example, to integration. In fact, Von der Leyen outlines five key points that member states must address and which will likely be put on the table this Tuesday: cooperation with other partners, strengthening borders, implementing alert systems to avoid situations like that in Ceuta, dismantling human trafficking networks, and reinforcing returns.

"Solidary" and "united" response

However, the head of the EU executive also calls for "solidarity" and "unity" among EU countries. "Whatever the challenge or the form it takes, it requires a common European response," the letter states. The Spanish government has precisely denounced that this has not existed in the face of the crisis in Ceuta: "We have been alone," said Grande-Marlaska. This Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has anticipated that Spain will demand "solidarity from all EU member states" at tomorrow's Tuesday meeting. "Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish, and therefore European, cities, and their border is very special," said Albares, referring to the fact that it is the only European land border with Africa.

The Spanish government has been particularly harsh against Italy's attitude, which after the crisis in Ceuta has decided to strengthen border controls with Spain for non-European travelers for one month. "Italy would like to do what Spain has done [in Ceuta]," said the minister, who has brought up the crisis in Lampedusa with the arrival of immigrants, which, in his opinion, "is submerged year after year." Albares has also railed against a "reactionary international," which spread "lies" about the crisis.

Balances with Morocco

Finally, the European Commission, like the Spanish government, is not entering into direct confrontation with Morocco. In fact, Von der Leyen also praises the role of the Alaouite country in managing the crisis in Ceuta and not just Spain's role. "It is an important strategic partner, especially in our efforts to combat migrant trafficking and illegal migration," the letter states. The President of the Commission also anticipates that the EU is already working with this country to establish "a more structured and forward-looking partnership". In fact, it also opens the door to "improving [European] technical and financial support to Morocco" to control migration.