The European Parliament is set to hold a contentious debate on the situation in Ceuta next Tuesday in Strasbourg, following a decision by political group leaders in Brussels. The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) have also pushed for a resolution to be voted on after the debate, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to censure the Spanish government led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The debate comes after a massive influx of migrants into the Spanish exclave on 30 July, which local authorities described as an "attack on Spain's territorial integrity." The EPP is expected to confront Sánchez directly over his handling of the crisis. "The Prime Minister said this has been an attack on Spain's territorial integrity. But he has not acted consequently," said Javier Zarzalejos, a senior EPP MEP, at a press conference on Tuesday.
Beyond the EPP, other right-wing and far-right groups are ready to use the crisis to criticise Sánchez, linking the surge to Spain's plan for the mass regularisation of undocumented migrants. The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group will be on the defensive, calling for European solidarity with Spain and criticising other governments for failing to present a united front. "The narrative adopted by some prime ministers was simply shocking. They attacked Spain instead of showing support," a senior S&D MEP told Euronews on condition of anonymity.
Compromise title reflects divisions
The final title of the debate reflects a compromise between differing political positions. The Parliament’s agenda lists it as: "The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders." The resolution, expected to be put to a vote next Tuesday, is likely to trigger a dispute over amendments shaping its final wording, with right-wing groups expected to press for a tougher stance on migration and criticism of Spain’s handling of the crisis.
The Spanish exclave is "on the brink of collapse," according to its president, after the arrival of some 80,000 irregular migrants. Several thousand of them, including unaccompanied minors, are still in the city, sparking a humanitarian crisis and making the overall situation "untenable." Meanwhile, Madrid has been plunged into further chaos after a leaked police report suggested that Moroccan forces played a role in pushing migrants into Ceuta, a claim Sánchez has so far not confirmed.
The crisis has also had consequences at the European level, with twenty-two EU countries calling for an emergency meeting in August and Italy reintroducing border checks at its air and maritime borders with Spain. The debate in Strasbourg is expected to be a key test of the EU's ability to respond to such challenges, with some calling for a more coordinated approach. Migration has returned to the EU agenda as a result, and the bloc has already approved €114.7 million in aid for the crisis response.
Some former officials have described the surge as a hybrid attack to destabilise the EU, a view that may influence the debate. Ceuta's leader has also urged the EU to confront Morocco over the migrant surge, adding to the pressure on Brussels to take a firmer stance.
The outcome of the debate and the vote on the resolution will be closely watched, as it could signal the direction of EU migration policy in the coming months. With the European Parliament divided along political lines, the challenge will be to find a common approach that balances security concerns with humanitarian obligations and solidarity among member states.
