The leader of the Partido Popular, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, increasing political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: on 19 September 2026, the parliamentary group registered a series of written questions in the Senate intended to require the government to provide information on contacts with Morocco and specific steps towards returns following the border crossings into Ceuta . Feijóo is seeking particular clarity on whether Sánchez has spoken personally with the Moroccan authorities, including King Mohammed VI, since the end of July. The PP’s use of the term “invasion” to describe the events in Ceuta is a political characterisation by the opposition.
Feijóo had already raised the issue during Question Time in Congress, demanding precise information on “when, how and what”. The PP is using its majority in the Senate to press the executive for written answers and, if necessary, further hearings. The move follows the mass border crossings on 30 and 31 July 2026, which required domestic and foreign policy coordination.
The government points to ongoing coordination with Rabat. According to information from La Moncloa , the Moroccan ambassador was summoned on 21 August 2026; operational procedures for returns, as well as protection and assessment processes for minors, were also under way. The government is cautious about commenting on the confidential content of bilateral talks, citing diplomatic practice and security considerations. No specific, published transcripts of direct contacts between Sánchez and King Mohammed VI have been made available so far.
For the PP, the political issue is transparency about any agreements and how Spain protects its sovereignty in Ceuta. The government also has a duty to inform parliament without jeopardising ongoing negotiations. The role of the European Commission is being discussed in Brussels, including whether it mediates or provides support in implementing readmission agreements. The Commission has no direct responsibility for bilateral returns, but EU programmes can provide logistical and financial contributions.
Key points remain unresolved: the precise dates and level of direct contacts with Rabat since 30 July, the scope of any agreements on readmission, the number of returns actually completed, and the treatment of particularly vulnerable people. The questions now submitted start a deadline within which the government must respond. The next round of parliamentary debate will show whether further details are made public.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).