EU lawmakers clash in Brussels and Strasbourg over Spains Ceuta migration response ahead of debate

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26 days · 4 summary articles
EU lawmakers clashed in Brussels and Strasbourg this week over Spain’s handling of the Ceuta migration crisis, with divisions deepening ahead of a European Parliament debate scheduled for Tuesday.
Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, spent 48 hours in Brussels criticizing Madrid’s response to the crisis, which saw over 80,000 irregular migrants arrive on July 30–31. Vivas, a member of the center-right European People’s Party, told reporters the national government had “failed to live up to what was required of it.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a Socialist, requested EU solidarity on Aug. 1, accusing member states of a “selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction” after 22 leaders criticized Spain’s migration policy and discussed closing Schengen borders .
The European Parliament’s political groups agreed Wednesday to hold a debate on Ceuta, with the EPP and other right-wing factions pushing for a resolution criticizing Sánchez and demanding tougher migration policies. EPP MEP Javier Zarzalejos accused Sánchez of failing to act decisively, while Socialists and Democrats defended Spain and called for greater EU solidarity. “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 Euronews’ *The Ring*, Czech center-right MEP Tomáš Svetechovský criticized Spain’s delayed response and rejected mandatory relocation quotas for unaccompanied minors, while German Socialist MEP Birgit Sippel prioritized European solidarity and urged relocation under the EU migration pact . The EU’s response so far has included strengthened Frontex border monitoring and calls for support, but Sánchez’s request for emergency funding remains unresolved.
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