The violation of the territorial integrity of Ceuta last week has kept the Head of State worried, tense, and powerless due to the prudence with which the head of a parliamentary monarchy of any European country must act. Felipe VI is by constitutional mandate the “symbol of unity and permanence,” embodying in his person the bonds that unite all Spaniards and the territory. But the geographical uniqueness of Ceuta and Melilla clashes with the King’s desire to further demonstrate his vocation of service to the Spanish people. Because the Government has not found an opportune moment during these years of reign for the Monarch to visit Ceuta and Melilla. And now, after Morocco’s recent provocation with the neglect of duties in controlling its border, that visit is even further away.
The King has experienced the crisis in constant tension, with great concern and almost daily contact with the competent authorities. He has spoken with the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, and the leaders of the two autonomous cities. He also sent a statement to express his “indignation” at the massive crossing of people into Ceuta and reminded that “the State must guarantee the security of the citizens.” And this Thursday, marking one week since the massive crossing of people swimming, he applies the saying that “if Muhammad does not go to the mountain, the mountain goes to Muhammad.”
The Monarch will receive at the Marivent Palace, the official summer residence of the Royal Family, Juan Jesús Vivas, president of Ceuta, in a hastily organized audience, a result of the King’s desire to show his support for the autonomous city. The Monarch’s priority is paramount, which is why he has found a slot in his schedule in communication with Vivas, who wanted to wait until the tension in the autonomous city eased a bit before traveling.
Juan Jesús Vivas will take advantage of the appointment to meet at one in the afternoon with the regional president, Marga Prohens, in his first meeting with a regional leader. Vivas has been asking for help and solidarity from the autonomous communities for several days to be able to relieve Ceuta, which almost doubled its population, as 84,000 people reside there and more than 72,000 entered, a figure that local authorities specify as 80,000.
It will be at six in the evening when he meets with Felipe VI, who thus wants to show his support for the popular politician, who has been leading the Executive of the autonomous city for more than 20 years. A few hours later, the King will take a plane to Cali (Colombia) to attend the inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella. He will travel accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, with whom he will be able to exchange opinions about what happened in Ceuta and Melilla.
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Moroccan propaganda
While Zarzuela reported yesterday on the audience with Vivas, Morocco deployed its propaganda power by instrumentalizing precisely Don Felipe. One of the official news agencies of the Moroccan Government released a statement in which they made public the congratulations that the King of Spain sent to Mohamed VI on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of his proclamation. A festivity known as Throne Day that was celebrated in Rabat on July 30, while thousands of people crossed the Tarajal border and many others arrived at Castillejos to do the same.
According to the mentioned agency, the Monarch expressed in the message, “in his own name and on behalf of the Government and the Spanish people,” his “warmest congratulations and best wishes of happiness and health to his brother” Mohammed VI. He also wished “prosperity and well-being to the Moroccan people.” A formality that, according to Zarzuela’s explanation to this newspaper, was drafted days before the massive crossing at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which coordinates this type of communication.
An attempt to show Don Felipe’s support for the Moroccan regime to which the King will respond tomorrow by receiving the president of Ceuta.
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