The deputy secretary-general of the Partido Popular (PP) for budget, housing and infrastructure, Juan Bravo, accused the central government on 21 August of excluding the Popular Party from discussions on the situation in Ceuta and leaving the city’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas to manage the crisis alone. Speaking on COPE Bravo also criticised Pedro Sánchez for focusing more on images than solutions and for having taken time off on holiday for a period.
Bravo described the state’s response to the latest border crossings as inadequate and referred to reports of a beach area being cleared, only to be overrun again shortly afterwards. He also renewed the PP’s claim to have put forward practical proposals. These include an economic plan for Ceuta worth €650 million over six years, presented by Alberto Núñez Feijóo .
The government rejects the accusations. The Moncloa says it has been coordinating measures with local authorities since the end of July; the head of government has visited Ceuta, and departments such as the Interior and Foreign Affairs ministries are in regular contact with the city. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares pledged the state’s “full and lasting” support during a visit to Ceuta. According to the government, the work includes security arrangements, accommodation capacity, transfers within Spain and diplomatic contacts with Morocco.
Juan Jesús Vivas has repeatedly criticised the level of state assistance in public in recent days. He said he would take the case to court if no viable solution was reached within 30 days. The situation is also being closely monitored in Melilla as questions of accommodation, identification, asylum assessment and possible returns following the border crossings are similar in both cities.
The escalation is increasing pressure on Madrid to make procedures transparent and set out specific measures. The interpretation of events remains contested: while the PP blames the government for a lack of leadership, government bodies point to documented meetings, briefings and ongoing cooperation with Ceuta. What is clear is that, alongside short-term stabilisation, the city’s economic and social resilience is a central issue – an area in which the government and opposition have different priorities.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).