Spanish congress to approve talks with Morocco to reopen Melilla, Ceuta customs

The Spanish Congress of Deputies is set to pass an initiative by the Popular Party (PP) urging the government to start negotiations with Morocco and reopen commercial customs in Melilla and Ceuta within 90 days.

No parliamentary group has announced their voting stance yet. However, Vox and the allies of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have shown likely support. 

However, the Spanish government’s allies criticized the PP’s “opportunism” for including the Moroccan Sahara issue claiming it was to show that the PSOE stands “alone” on this matter.

PP Deputy Spokesperson Rafael Hernando defended the initiative. “I hope to achieve a sufficient and coherent majority with what has been approved in the Defense Committee to ensure that, once again, we defeat the government’s insubstantiality,” he said. 

This comment was later criticized by the government’s allies.All parliamentary groups, except the PSOE, have shown agreement with the proposal of raising the issue of the Moroccan Sahara. 

The proposal seeks to urge the government to return to Spain’s historical position of active neutrality regarding the Moroccan Sahara conflict. 

Some parties suggested amendments for Spain to take a more active role. The proposal also aims to ensure commitments related to the airspace management of Moroccan Sahara and the delimitation of maritime spaces are fulfilled.

The initiative also calls for the Sánchez government to support the UN Mission’s efforts to hold a referendum in Moroccan Sahara, urging increased cooperation in Sahrawi refugee camps. .

The PSOE was the only group to criticize the initiative. PSOE deputy Hana Jalloul reminded that Spain’s position on Western Sahara has already been debated and voted on multiple times. She accused the PP of using the issue to “confront” rather than “advance.”

Despite this, the PSOE’s allies opposed them. ERC deputy Francesc-Marc Vidal criticized the PSOE, saying, “You are alone.”  Vidal accused the Socialists of not fulfilling their electoral program. 

Sumar deputy and Sahrawi activist Tesh Sidi criticized the PP for their “opportunism.” She pointed out that the PP has done “nothing in 50 years” and hidden the “colonial conflict” under the rug. 

PNV, Podemos, and BNG also criticized the PP for using this initiative to highlight the “division of the investiture bloc.” However, they generally agreed with the initiative’s content.

Despite this general agreement, Podemos, BNG, Sumar, and Coalición Canaria presented amendments to the text. Vox also recognized the PP’s initiative as “positive,” though their support is not guaranteed.