The PSOE has given instructions to its mayors and councilors not to support the September 2nd gatherings called by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) at the doors of all town halls to protest against the central Government’s management of the situation in Ceuta following the massive arrival of 72,000 people illegally. According to the main coalition partner leading La Moncloa, this action was decided by the PP “unilaterally, without agreement and violating the democratic functioning” of the very organization representing local entities.
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In a circular sent this Saturday to all party federations, the Ferraz leadership argues that the formation of Alberto Núñez Feijóo is trying to “manipulate this humanitarian crisis” as an “element of mobilization and confrontation” to “go against” the Government of Pedro Sánchez. Therefore, they inform their officials that it has been decided “not to participate” in protests called for 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the eve of the Government president’s appearance in Congress to provide explanations on this matter.
“Do not manipulate our position regarding Ceuta. We stand with the people of Ceuta and with the Ceutí men and women, but we do not tolerate partisan and electoral use,” they add at the socialist leadership. They also express their “deep condemnation and rejection of all forms of violence, without equidistance or ambiguities,” following incidents recorded in recent days in the autonomous city, including attacks on military personnel and the destruction of immigrant shacks remaining on Trampolín beach.
IU–Compromis–Comuns–Podemos, ERC, and Junts have also denounced this week that the president of the FEMP, María José García-Pelayo, has carried out “unilateral actions” regarding the call for the protest. Likewise, they have tried to pressure for a retraction, as they consider that the PP mayor acted “after the fact, without the support or approval of the rest of the political groups.”
Despite internal criticism of the crisis management, even in the PSOE less aligned with Ferraz, they criticize that the opposition leader party has “bypassed the governing bodies of an institution to engage in partisanship.” This was expressed by the mayor of Palencia, Miriam Andrés, who stated that what her City Council will do is present a “declaration of support for Ceuta.”
Appearance of the CNI director
On the other hand, the socialists have responded to the PP president that the CNI director could appear in Congress but not in the Senate, after Feijóo said she will be summoned there to give explanations about the migration crisis. Specifically, they want Esperanza Casteleiro to clarify the disagreements within the Government about the existence or not of prior intelligence reports warning of the massive arrival on July 30.
In statements sent to the media, the PSOE spokesperson in the Upper House, Juan Espadas, accused the popular leader of wanting “to act as the leader of the far right” in Spain since, as he recalled, it was Vox who requested on Friday the appearance of the CNI director in the Senate. He also emphasized that the Board unanimously rejected this request because, as he pointed out, “she can only appear before the Official Secrets Commission of the Congress of Deputies, as established by current regulations.”
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