Spain slams EU partners for 'selfish' response to Ceuta migrant crisis

In the wake of the influx of nearly 60,000 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco and fellow European Union governments' flurry of statements on border restrictions, Madrid accused them of selfishness.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, while describing the response from several member states without naming them, called it "selfish, polarising and unlawful" in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

According to the BBC, the Spanish leader said the Madrid government had restored back order within 48 hours and reverted most of the migrants back to Morocco and also prevented them from reaching mainland Europe.

The diplomatic row was sparked from Italy's government response, in addition to temporarily suspending the Schengen free visa with Spain, but also strong-worded statements, which slammed the Madrid government over what they described as encouraging human trafficking by naturalising over 500,000 irregular immigrants.

Taking to X, the Italian foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said, "I am in favour of closing the Schengen Area to Spain and have full confidence in minister Piantedosi's actions. Irregular and uncontrolled immigration poses a danger to national security."

"The images coming from Ceuta show how the Madrid government's decision to grant Spanish, and therefore European, citizenship to over 500,000 irregular immigrants is profoundly wrong and encourages human trafficking," he wrote.

Italy, however, is not alone in issuing a stricter response. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš apparently went further.

He called for Spain's immediate suspension from the 29-member Schengen arrangement.

Finland and Denmark, meanwhile, voiced support for stronger control on the border.

However, it is worth noting that Ceuta lies outside of the Schengen zone.