The Deputy Secretary of Autonomous, Municipal and Electoral Analysis Policy of the PP, Elías Bendodo, pointed out this Sunday that the migratory crisis recorded in Ceuta in recent days "has not ended" and reproached the central Executive for trying to project "an image of normality" when, as he emphasized, "immigrants continue to roam the streets" of the autonomous city.
In a media attention in Marbella (Málaga), Bendodo sent a message of support to Ceuta and Melilla and stated that what happened at the Ceuta border is due, in his view, to the "extreme weakness" of the Government of Spain. "This is a crisis that has been dragging on for a long time," he indicated, attributing it to an Executive that he labeled as "ineffective, unstable, and weak."
The 'popular' leader also lashed out at the statements of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, regarding the development of the crisis, assuring that "neither of the two offers an image adjusted to the situation that remains in the streets of Ceuta."
"This morning we saw how there are still hundreds and hundreds of immigrants who have not returned. They are roaming the streets, along the beaches, because they have not returned; Marlaska has lied to us again; Sánchez has lied to us again when he said that in 24 hours he has resolved this crisis, when in truth this is a crisis that has been dragging on for a long time," Elías Bendodo stated.
In this line, he criticized that Sánchez remains on vacation in Lanzarote while "the crisis is not resolved." In his opinion, the head of the Executive thus shows a "disconnection from reality" despite the fact that "the migratory situation persists in Ceuta," an attitude that Bendodo has described as "irresponsible."
Likewise, he questioned the management of migration policy by the Government and emphasized that "immigration cannot be trivialized or used as a political calculation." He believes that the current scenario requires "a sense of state and international diplomatic capacity." He also referred to the images of the arrival of immigrants in Ceuta and the boos that, as he pointed out, Sánchez received during his visit to the autonomous city. "The President of the Government should take a look at this," he stated, understanding that these events should lead the Executive to reflect on its migration policy.
The 'popular' spokesperson has also claimed the position of the PP regarding Ceuta and Melilla and has guaranteed that both autonomous cities will be "strategic priorities" for a potential Government of the Popular Party. In this context, he has highlighted the initiatives defended by his party, such as declaring Ceuta and Melilla of interest for national security and reforming the Immigration Law.
"Our president and our party have clearly committed to Ceuta and Melilla," Bendodo has stated, emphasizing that the PP feels "proud" of the two autonomous cities. To conclude, he has demanded the return of immigrants who have entered Ceuta irregularly and has reiterated his reproach of the actions of the Executive. "Immigration does not admit frivolities," he concluded, insisting that the response must combine border control with diplomatic action.