One month after the massive entry of migrants in Ceuta, the president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has reappeared publicly in an interview on Cadena SER in which he has not deviated from the planned script: he has assured that the reports from the CNI did not predict the magnitude of the “avalanche,” that Morocco had nothing to do with it, and has announced a 75% bonus on the contributions to Social Security for employers in Ceuta and Melilla.
Furthermore, he has bragged about the support that his Government has given to Ceuta throughout the entire legislature: the socialist leader has indicated that his is the Executive “that has done the most for Ceuta and Melilla in history” and that he is the president who has visited the area the most and who has allocated the most resources. Specifically, he has emphasized that when the legislature ends, they will have invested 180 million euros since 2018 in the security and perimeter of the Ceuta border.
165 million euros
Just one day before the interview, El País reported that the Council of Ministers this coming Tuesday will approve a package of 165 million euros aimed at recovering economic activity and strengthening public services.
The measure would develop the extraordinary expansion of the Comprehensive Socioeconomic Development Plan that Carlos Cuerpo announced during his visit to the city. Moncloa had confirmed that expansion, but had not yet publicly communicated a figure of 165 million.
The proposed plan includes more than 80 million for immediate impact over the next four months. Another 70 million would be planned for 2027. Among the allocated items are 35 million for SMEs and self-employed, 15 million for commerce and tourism, and another 15 million linked to education, health, and justice.
The amount comes after the Chamber of Commerce estimated that Ceuta could close August with losses exceeding 27 million euros. Business owners in the city have reported hotel cancellations, a drop in consumption, and a practically lost tourist season.
Previously, the Government authorized 25 million for the care of migrant minors and the Ministry of Inclusion raised the maximum volume of its humanitarian response to 44.51 million.