The main opposition party in Melilla’s regional Assembly, the Coalition for Melilla (CPM), has urged for easier passage of goods across the border from Morocco to Melilla.
The need for this move comes as a precautionary measure against potential disruptions caused by ongoing protests by farmers and truckers in Spain.
Emilio Guerra, a local deputy from CPM, expressed concerns that these protests could lead to short-term disruptions in food supplies and a probable increase in prices.
“we could already observe delays in the arrival of trucks to different local supermarkets. If the situation prolongs and there are no negotiated exits to the problem, it is evident that Melilla can be severely damaged as a result of the blocking of goods on the roads and the consequent delay in the delivery of fresh, basic and perishable products,” said Guerra.
The deputy also pointed out recent delays in truck deliveries to local supermarkets, warning that prolonged disruptions could severely impact the availability of fresh and essential goods in Melilla.
The deputy sounded the alarm about the widening wealth gap in Melilla, with the cost of living soaring in recent times.
Highlighting the economic strain, Guerra noted that the cost of essential items for Melilla residents has doubled in just one year.
This surge has pushed Melilla’s cost of living index above the national average, exacerbating the already high levels of inequality in the region.
Guerra added that it’s important that the authorities use all available political and economic tools to mitigate any potential food shortages in the city resulting from these protests.
Contrary to these concerns, Sabrina Moh, the Government Delegate in Melilla, assured that the city’s supply chain remains unaffected by the ongoing protests.
Moh said that while there was an isolated incident involving a truck, unrelated to the broader truckers’ strike, the overall supply situation in Melilla remains stable and adequate.
José Muñoz, a representative from the VOX Parliamentary Group, had already called for the urgent halt of the agricultural agreement with Morocco, saying that his group is prepared to oppose both Brussels and the Moroccan authorities.
This rising tension in Spain comes amidst the ongoing protests marked by tractor roadblocks and farmers’ protests against what they perceive as the costly EU sustainability regulations.
Facing a persistent drought spanning three years and mounting production expenses, these farmers are calling for enhanced governmental support.
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