The Spanish delegation of the Popular Party in the European Parliament has raised the tone against the Government of Pedro Sánchez for the management of the migration crisis in Ceuta and Melilla. The 22 popular MEPs, led by Esteban González Pons, have sent a letter to the other members of the Eurochamber in which they warn that the situation represents "the worst crisis of national sovereignty at the southern border of Europe" and warn that not only the territorial integrity of Spain is at stake, but also the protection of the external border of the European Union and the continuity of the Schengen area.
In the letter, the Popular Party argues that the massive and irregular entry of more than 60,000 people in Ceuta and Melilla has overflowed the scope of a conventional migration crisis and constitutes a challenge for European security. The popular party also recalls that, according to their data, nearly a hundred immigrants have lost their lives during this crisis, which, in their opinion, evidences the seriousness of the situation.
Esteban González Pons, representing the Spanish delegation of the PPE, directly blames the Pedro Sánchez Executive for not having taken advantage of the support offered by the community institutions. The popular leader reproaches the Government for not having responded to the European Commission's proposal to strengthen financial, technical, and operational support to Spain, including a greater deployment of Frontex, while the migratory pressure continues to increase.
Background
The PP also recalls that, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior, between January 1 and July 15, 2026, there were 2,991 irregular arrivals in Ceuta and Melilla, 140% more than in the same period of the previous year. For the popular MEPs, these figures reflect a deterioration of border control that demands a coordinated response from European institutions.
The Spanish delegation of the PPE also assures that the evolution of the crisis is generating concern among several member states. In their letter, they cite countries such as Italy, Finland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Austria, and the Czech Republic, which have expressed their concern about the impact that the situation may have on the functioning of the Schengen area. In this context, they recall that France has already announced a reinforcement of controls at its border with Spain and that a group of 22 countries, led by Italy and Denmark, is calling for a common response from the European Union.
The Popular Party calls on the European Council and the Commission to strengthen Frontex's support and to promote a more effective cooperation policy with Morocco to contain migratory pressure. They also recall the statements of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which she demanded the immediate cessation of irregular entries in Ceuta and the return of those who illegally access Spanish territory, as well as the position of Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, in favor of a firmer border policy.
The week of September 14
As part of this political initiative, the European People's Party Group has requested an urgent debate in the European Parliament on the situation in Ceuta and Melilla. The discussion will take place during the week of September 14, in the plenary session in Strasbourg where the President of the European Commission will deliver her traditional State of the Union address.
The initiative also coincides with the message recently conveyed by the president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, during his visit to Ceuta. "The territorial integrity of Spain is not negotiated, it is defended", affirmed the popular leader, an idea that the Spanish delegation of the PPE positions as the axis of its political offensive in Brussels to demand a European response to the migratory pressure at the southern border.
This is the content of the letter:
The Spanish delegation of the PP in the European Parliament maintains that the massive entry of immigrants in Ceuta and Melilla constitutes "the worst crisis of national sovereignty at the southern border of Europe." It defends that both cities have been Spanish and European territory for centuries, rejects that they can be considered colonial enclaves, and emphasizes that the UN does not include them among the territories pending decolonization.
The letter estimates between 60,000 and 80,000 the irregular entries recorded on July 30 in Ceuta and about 400 the immigrants who accessed Melilla, in addition to noting that at least 88 people died trying to reach the autonomous city. It also recalls that all parties represented in the Assembly of Ceuta demanded extraordinary measures and criticizes the Government's response, considering it was late and that it rejected activating the National Security Law and the reinforcement offered by Frontex.
The document states that the crisis has caused concern among several member states and highlights the positions of the European Commission, France, and Poland in favor of strengthening the control of the EU's external borders. It also claims that 22 countries pushed for a coordinated European response and reminds that the European Parliament will debate the situation in Ceuta and Melilla during the next plenary session in September.
The popular delegation concludes that the instrumentalization of immigration puts at risk the sovereignty of Spain and the security of the external borders of the European Union. In this sense, it holds the Government of Pedro Sánchez responsible for maintaining a migratory and foreign policy that, in its opinion, weakens the credibility of the Schengen area and demands a firm and coordinated response from the European institutions.