This September 2, on Ceuta Day, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, addressed the “compatriots” of this city to “thank” them for their “serenity, solidarity, coexistence, and responsibility” in these weeks, following the irregular entry of 72,000 people on July 30 that has caused a crisis still unresolved. “I know you are facing these days under especially difficult circumstances,” Sánchez acknowledged, pointing out that what happened “has pushed our response capacity to the limit.”
The Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) has called for gatherings in support of the autonomous city in all Spanish municipalities this Wednesday, Ceuta Day, due to the migratory crisis, with PP and Vox urging participation while the Government considers them partisan.
The FEMP has called for gatherings in all Spanish municipalities at 8:00 p.m. in front of town hall headquarters across Spain, and in Madrid, the leaders of PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and Vox, Santiago Abascal, will join.
A call from this federation chaired by María José García-Pelayo (PP) who criticized the PSOE leadership for considering that the decision was made unilaterally and without agreement.
However, some socialist municipalities in Valencia, Huelva, Córdoba, and Cádiz have announced solidarity gatherings with Ceuta, separate from the official FEMP one, and have called to move away from “partisanship” amid the migratory and humanitarian crisis the autonomous city is experiencing.
Santander will hold the Ceuta gathering as an institutional act after communication from the Government Delegation
The City Council of Santander (PP) will hold the gathering called for the late afternoon-evening of this Wednesday by the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) in front of town halls across the country with the slogan ‘For Ceuta’ in support of the autonomous city after the migratory crisis.
More than 206 town halls have joined, including the regional capital, as well as Torrelavega (PRC-PSOE), Camargo (PP), El Astillero (Citizens), and Santoña (Santoñeses-PP), among others.
This decision by Santander comes after the Government Delegation in Cantabria sent a communication to the City Council informing that municipalities “are not holders of the right of assembly” and therefore “lack legitimacy to call meetings or demonstrations,” and thus will not process the City Council’s request for such purpose. However, it points out that they “can organize the institutional acts they consider appropriate, under the responsibility of the City Council itself”.
PSOE-Andalusia: “What is Moreno Bonilla doing to protect and prevent migrant minors from being violated in Ceuta”
PSOE-A demands Juanma Moreno to comply with the agreement signed in 2024 with Ceuta to help the Junta face the migratory crisis and host unaccompanied minors in Andalusia. The Socialist Group will claim in Parliament this “inter-autonomous collaboration” agreement that guarantees the transfer and care of migrant minors in our community “quickly and stably while the migratory crisis” affecting Ceuta lasts.
María Márquez, deputy spokesperson of the socialist group, insisted that this “is not being fulfilled” and that the Andalusian Government does not inform about available places and resources for unaccompanied children. “What is Moreno Bonilla doing to protect and prevent migrant minors from being violated in Ceuta, having tools like this agreement,” she stressed, as reported by Teresa López Pavón.
The Police Director meets with the head of the agents of the report pointing to Morocco in the Ceuta crisis
The Director General of the National Police, Francisco Pardo, held an urgent meeting this Tuesday with the head of the police officers who prepared the report sent to the National Court that points to Moroccan gendarmes for their alleged participation in the Ceuta crisis after the massive entry of migrants on July 30.
According to police sources reported to Europa Press, Francisco Pardo summoned the commissioner in charge of Immigration and Borders following a request for information by the Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, after the publication of the police report from the National Immigration and Borders Center (CENIF).
The highest police official summoned, specifically, the General Commissioner of Immigration and Borders, Juan Ávila, to a meeting also attended by the General Commissioner of Information, Javier Antonio Susín, according to the cited police sources.
The Mayor of Valencia attacks the Government Delegate
The Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá (PP), has lashed out at the Government Delegate in the Valencian Community regarding the gathering in support of Ceuta promoted by the FEMP and endorsed by the City Council. The socialist candidate for the Valencia City Council, Pilar Bernabé, censured the FEMP call as “partisan,” following the PSOE’s argument line, but went further by accusing the PP of wanting to impose a political narrative “like in the dana.”
“The delegate knows perfectly well, because she authorizes the gatherings, that they are civic and citizen,” said Mayor Catalá, who emphasized that, in Valencia’s case, four entities have informed the Delegation of the call. “We adhere”, she insisted, recalling that “regardless of who the President of the Government is, the problem of Ceuta and its neighbors must be addressed urgently.” “It is a humanitarian issue,” in Catalá’s words, reports Noa de la Torre.
The Mayor of Mérida, from PSOE, demands the Government “defend the territorial sovereignty of Ceuta”
On the first official day of the Mérida Fair (the inauguration took place last night), the Mayor of Mérida, the socialist Antonio Rodríguez Osuna, read an institutional declaration agreed with the other municipal groups (PP, Vox, and Unidas Podemos) “in support of the people of Ceuta.” In a press conference at the City Hall doors, in a gathering supported by about a thousand people, the socialist mayor showed municipal solidarity with the government of Ceuta and the entire civil society of Ceuta, “which is suffering the consequences of the very serious incidents caused on July 30 and 31 by the illegal and massive entry of thousands of migrant people.”
In the second point of the declaration, Rodríguez Osuna expressed “our solidarity and support” to the State Security Forces and Bodies, as well as to all institutions and organizations “working to alleviate and respond to the difficult situation the people of Ceuta are enduring.” In this regard, and in another section, he stated that “the Mérida City Council asks the Government of Spain for the defense of the territorial sovereignty of Ceuta as well as economic and legal support” to Ceuta’s civil society.
Finally, the socialist mayor called for a “peaceful and effective solution” as well as “the solidarity of the entire Spanish people with the people of Ceuta,” reports David Vigario. This morning’s gathering included participation from all political groups. The Mérida City Council has called this gathering, like Almendralejo’s, at 12:00 noon, separate from the one also scheduled at 8:00 p.m. by the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, reports David Vigario.
More than 500 Ceutans run through the city streets to show unity in the crisis
More than 500 Ceutans ran this Wednesday through the streets of Ceuta to show the city’s “unity” in the face of the crisis caused by the entry of more than 80,000 people through the Tarajal border crossing on July 30 and 31. “Ceuta runs united” was the slogan of this solidarity race of about four kilometers that started at 12:00 noon at the city hall doors, called by a citizen initiative of athletics enthusiasts.
The call gathered Ceutans of all ages, with flags of Spain and Ceuta, who wanted to join this reivindicative act that went through the city center streets and was joined by many of Ceuta’s most prominent athletes.
“Ceuta does not surrender,” “Thanks to our Armed Forces,” “Thanks to our State Security Forces and Bodies,” “Thank you Spain,” and “Cheer up Ceuta” were the banners opening this mobilization, which the organizers had called “for Ceuta, for its people, for unity and for Spain.”
Valencian PSOE avoids criticizing the gatherings of its mayors: “There is no contradiction”
The leadership of Valencian socialists, who through Diana Morant rejected the gatherings in support of Ceuta, avoided condemning those promoted by their own mayors this Wednesday. To circumvent Ferraz’s veto on the FEMP call, socialist city councils like Gandía or Sagunto decided to advance their institutional acts to 12 instead of setting them at 8 p.m. And this advance was seized by the spokesperson of PSPV-PSOE in the Valencian Courts, José Muñoz, to emphasize that “there is no contradiction” nor any rebellion by the mayors disobeying the party order, reports Noa de la Torre.
Pérez Llorca defends that the gatherings in support of Ceuta are not partisan
The President of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, defended that the gatherings this Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. called by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) are not partisan but are from citizens who want to support Ceuta after suffering an “invasion.”
For the president, the proof that the gatherings are not from political parties lies in the fact that “many socialist mayors will participate in those gatherings.” In his opinion, “it is curious” that the central Government “does not want to participate” in them, while he criticized formations like Compromís, “focused on defending sanchismo in Spain” before the territorial integrity of Spain.
“This is not a case of an immigration problem, it is an invasion,” he declared, so, in his view, “solutions are needed”.
Flop in Gandía, without Diana Morant’s right hand
Gandía is the most important Valencian locality governed by PSOE, and its mayor, José Manuel Prieto, distanced himself from the FEMP call by calling for an “institutional gathering” of citizens at 12 noon, “as is always done for important matters, and this is one,” Prieto assured in the Plaza Mayor. Behind a banner with the slogan ‘Gandía with Ceuta and human rights,’ councilors from the Government team, formed by PSOE and Compromís, showed their support for the autonomous city accompanied by about thirty neighbors.
Behind that banner was not the councilor for Urbanism, Infrastructure, and Housing, Vicent Mascarell, secretary of organization of Valencian PSOE and right hand of the Minister of Science and leader of Valencian socialists, Diana Morant. Last Monday, Morant assured that her party would not support the gatherings called at 8 p.m. The mayor explained he does not know the reason for the absence, “it could be scheduling issues,” he said, although he insisted that he represents the institution and calls for “unity of all administrations” to support the people of Ceuta.
The PP of Gandía has not supported this gathering and will attend at 8 p.m., led by the municipal spokesperson, Víctor Soler, and the Síndic in the Courts, Nando Soler. “I have called three spokesperson meetings seeking unity in this call because I would have liked the entire corporation to be present,” he justified, as reported by Inma Lidón.
Tudela, also with Ceuta
The Mayor of Tudela City Council (Navarra) Alejandro Toquero (UPN) has placed the Ceuta flag on the town hall balcony hours before the gathering that will take place from 8:00 p.m. “Ceuta needs us and we cannot leave it alone,” Toquero warned in the foral community where UPN-governed city councils have joined the FEMP call, which those governed by PSN and EH Bildu reject, reports Josean Izarra.
Sánchez: “What happened in Ceuta has pushed our response capacity to the limit”
This September 2, on Ceuta Day, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, addressed the “compatriots” of this city to “thank” them for their “serenity, solidarity, coexistence, and responsibility” in these weeks, following the irregular entry of 72,000 people on July 30 that has caused a crisis still unresolved. “I know you are facing these days under especially difficult circumstances,” Sánchez acknowledged, pointing out that what happened “has pushed our response capacity to the limit.” “I understand that, for many of you, until normality is restored, the State’s response is insufficient,” the President of the Government deepened, who in any case assured that “all resources” at the Executive’s disposal are being mobilized to solve the situation. The “priority,” he said, “is to get people off the streets as soon as possible, guarantee dignified care to those who have arrived, and return the tranquility that Ceutans deserve,” reports Paloma H. Matellano.
Bolaños calls for caution about the police report pointing to Morocco and denies the Government hid information
The Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Courts, Félix Bolaños, has called for “maximum caution” about the National Police report that would place Morocco behind the entry of thousands of immigrants in Ceuta at the end of July and denied that the Government hid information about that alleged involvement.
“Absolutely not. The Government of Spain is acting and informing citizens with the information it has at its disposal, with the information it knows. And, of course, the Government has to work with reliable information, objective, accredited, that we know and that, therefore, we can analyze in absolute detail,” the minister said this Wednesday in response to journalists’ questions.
Bolaños stated that they learned last night about the content of the police report through a news article published by ‘El Español’ and have been “analyzing” that information since then. “It is a time for caution, to analyze that report in depth and to know all the details mentioned. Therefore, until we know and study that report in detail and depth, I ask for maximum caution,” he defended.
Galicia is divided over the gatherings in support of Ceuta
The Secretary General of the PP of Galicia, Paula Prado, announced that the ‘populars’ will join the gatherings in support of Ceuta this Wednesday to show their “indignation.” According to her, there are 163 notified demonstrations and more than 200 Galician localities involved. “We want to show our support and solidarity with the people of Ceuta. It is a national issue in which we should all be united, without labels or exceptions. Galicia is with Ceuta,” she defended.
However, the call faces an added difficulty in the main Galician cities, where the PP does not govern. Santiago is in the hands of the BNG, and La Coruña and Vigo, of the PSOE, so although the gatherings remain at 8:00 p.m., the most significant ones will not have the support of their respective municipal governments. This distance has already provoked a response from the ‘populars’ in Vigo, where their local president, Luisa Sánchez, has criticized the socialist group of Abel Caballero for rejecting an institutional declaration of support. “They prefer solitude to joining a matter of justice,” she reproached.
The gap is even more visible in La Coruña. Its mayor, Inés Rey, also vice president of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), distanced the City Council from the initiative promoted by the entity’s president. In an interview on ‘Hoy por Hoy,’ Rey described it as a “unilateral” call by the PP, “without the support of the rest of the political parties,” and maintained that “it does not obey a solidarity interest but a partisan one,” exposing differences within the entity itself, reports Juan B. Cañellas.
Pedro Sánchez: “I am sure that next year we will celebrate it with a stronger Ceuta”
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has published on social media a video showing his support for the people of Ceuta and announcing aid to restore normality as soon as possible.
“Today I want to thank the people of Ceuta for the serenity, solidarity, and responsibility they have shown during these weeks. We are mobilizing all resources at our disposal so that your city recovers full normality as soon as possible. I am sure that next year we will celebrate it with a stronger, more prosperous Ceuta, better prepared for the future.”
Vox will resort to “administrative and legal” mechanisms to prevent migrant minors from reaching Andalusia from Ceuta
Vox has assured this Wednesday that it will resort to “political, administrative, and legal” mechanisms to prevent unaccompanied migrant minors who have arrived in Ceuta from being transferred to Andalusia.
“There are administrative and legal arguments we can use to delay or deny these arrivals of minors, and we will be there; there is no doubt that we will put all our effort to ensure that none of these invaders reach Andalusia. They should not be in Spain, and we have the moral obligation to send them with their parents to their countries of origin,” said Vox’s spokesperson in the Andalusian Parliament, Javier Cortés, in a press conference.
He stated that the government agreement between PP-A and Vox in Andalusia is “clear” in its “frontal rejection of the immigration policies” of the Government of Pedro Sánchez, and in the “funding” of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that “are directly collaborating with human trafficking” and “arming and helping the invaders against our compatriots.”
PP demands Marlaska’s resignation for being “shameless, incompetent, and liar”
“If today you knew nothing, the Government must resign because they are incompetent. And if you are trying to put the National Police in the spotlight because they do what a judge asked and you are making them look bad, you must resign.” This is how Ester Muñoz, PP spokesperson in Congress, summarized her party’s sentiment amid the political earthquake caused by the report the National Police sent to the National Court judge, demonstrating the participation of Moroccan agents in planning and executing the immigrant avalanche Ceuta suffered on July 30.
The report, made by CENIF (National Immigration and Borders Center), even contains images of Moroccan agents directing the crowd at the border and giving orders to uniformed gendarmes, presenting the events as a carefully planned process to collapse the Spanish border control system, and in no case the action of “mafias” nor any shadow of “Russia” or “Israel,” as President Pedro Sánchez said.
Read the information by Juanma Lamet.
Page says that if the Police report on Ceuta is confirmed, there must be consequences
The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, wondered if only the judge requested a report from the National Police about what happened in Ceuta on July 30 and 31 and “if no one else had asked the Police to inform,” emphasizing that if the report is confirmed, it must have “consequences in all areas.”
In a video sent this Wednesday by his office, García-Page said, regarding what was published by El Español, that “if the Police report information is confirmed, and it is enormously exhaustive, it has very, very important significance.”
He considered it “evident” that if confirmed, it must have “consequences in all areas” and asked “if it had to be a judge who requested a report on what happened, if only the judge requested that report, if no one else had asked or requested the National Police, our intelligence services to inform.”
García-Page pointed out, in this regard, that it is something “relevant” because “until we know exactly everything that happened and everything that did not happen, frankly we will not be able to fix it.”
Iñaki Oyarzábal: “Authorizing GKS’s violent counter-gatherings is a political decision of the PNV”
Indignation of the Basque PP with the PNV: “Authorizing GKS’s violent counter-gatherings is a political decision of the PNV,” denounces the president of the PP of Álava Iñaki Oyarzábal in Vitoria. The ‘populars’ call for participation in their acts in the three Basque capitals, Getxo, and Ermua against the pressure of violent ‘abertzale’ groups, reports Josean Izarra.
The organization that took the Ceuta crisis to the National Court demands protection for the police officers pointing to Morocco
The organization Iustitia Europa, which took the Ceuta migratory crisis to the National Court (AN), has demanded protection for the National Police officers who made the report attributing to the Moroccan Security Forces and Bodies the massive entry of immigrants into the autonomous city at the end of July.
In a document accessed by Europa Press, the organization also asks Judge María Tardón, who opened preliminary proceedings after a complaint from Iustitia Europa itself, to declare herself competent to take over the investigation.
It was in early August when Tardón requested a report from the Police to know if the entry of people from Morocco was a concerted action promoted by a criminal group.
López Miras: “Our voice will join yours and all Spaniards’, because Ceuta is all of us”
The President of Murcia, Fernando López Miras, has published on social media that “the Ceuta flag flies today at the San Esteban Palace, alongside those of the Region of Murcia and Spain, on Ceuta Day.”
“Congratulations to all Ceutans. This afternoon our voice will join yours and all Spaniards’, because Ceuta is all of us”.
María Guardiola: “Ceuta is Spain and will not face this challenge alone”
The President of Extremadura, María Guardiola, stated on social media that “Ceuta has always been present in my office since President Juan Vivas gave me this image of the Virgin of Africa, patroness of the city, when I had the opportunity to visit it.” In the post, she includes a photo of it. She also added that “on #CeutaDay, I want to send my affection and support to all Ceutans facing the crisis they are enduring” to highlight that “Ceuta is Spain. And Ceuta will not face this challenge alone. Today we will say it loud and clear by gathering at 8:00 p.m. #AllWithCeuta,” reports David Vigario.
Maíllo believes Marlaska must resign if he knew about the report on Morocco and Ceuta
The federal coordinator of IU and spokesperson of the parliamentary group Por Andalucía, Antonio Maíllo, said that the Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, will have to resign if it is confirmed that he knew about the report made public this Wednesday pointing to Morocco’s alleged intervention in Ceuta’s migratory crisis.
Maíllo, in a press conference at the Andalusian Parliament, indicated that if the report, previewed by El Español, linking the Moroccan Government with the arrival of thousands of migrants to Ceuta at the end of July, did not reach Marlaska, the one who should resign is the Director General of the Police for “disloyalty” to the Executive, but “if it is confirmed that the Ministry of the Interior had this information and did not process it, then the Ministry of the Interior should assume responsibility.”
“The problem with that report is that it did not reach the Interior Minister, who should have received it,” Maíllo added, who believes “there is an evident connection of the Moroccan government” because up to 80,000 people do not mobilize without the Moroccan Government knowing, and, in his opinion, “it is evident that Pedro Sánchez made a mistake” by not assuming “that there is criminal responsibility in the Moroccan Government” since the migratory crisis has resulted in 145 deaths.”
Read the information by Teresa López Pavón.
Rosa África Colmenar: “It is a gesture that is neither left nor right”
The Andalusian Parliament held an act in solidarity with Ceuta this Wednesday during which the autonomous city flag was raised. The President of the House of Ceuta in Seville, Rosa África Colmenar, stated that no ideological sign should be seen in a gesture that “is neither left nor right.”
Members of the PP and Vox Parliamentary Board attended the act, while representatives of PSOE, Adelante Andalucía, and Por Andalucía were absent. The President of the Parliament, Ana Mestre, explained that the Parliament wanted to show its support to Ceuta with this act and give voice to “our Ceutan brothers,” reports Teresa López Pavón.
Natalia Chueca: “The pressure on Ceuta is testing its resources, public services, and capacity to maintain normality”
The Zaragoza City Council began the celebration of Ceuta Day by placing a banner on its balcony in support of the autonomous city’s population amid the migratory crisis. The mayor, Natalia Chueca, indicated that Ceutan citizens “are facing extraordinary pressure, testing their resources, public services, and capacity to maintain normality.”
At the event, the mayor was accompanied by spokespersons of different municipal groups, except Zaragoza En Común, which will not have any representative in today’s events. As planned, the socialist municipal leader, Lola Ranera, was present, whose participation is due to the Aragonese PSOE’s intention to show its “support for Ceuta” without falling into the “tension” that, according to sources consulted by EL MUNDO, the demonstration called by the FEMP for 8 p.m. on September 2 generates.
Read more The fearless PSOE mayors stand up to Sánchez: «We must defend Ceuta today»
At the same time, various unions will hold a protest at the Paraninfo of the University of Zaragoza under the slogan “Let’s stop racism” aiming to counter-program the mobilization that will take place in Plaza del Pilar, reports Ismael Poveda.
Cuerpo calls for “prudence” until knowing the details of the report pointing to Morocco for the Ceuta crisis
The First Vice President and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, has called for “prudence” before knowing in detail the police report that would point to Morocco’s responsibility in the massive entry of migrants to Ceuta at the end of July, while insisting on alerting about the role of “certain types of actors” who promote the spread of hoaxes through social networks to amplify the crisis’s impact, after the Government pointed to Russia and Israel.
“I have no knowledge of the content (of the report) until today nor of the existence of this report, so let’s wait to know what that content is before commenting,” Cuerpo requested in Brussels, where he attended a forum organized by the think tank Bruegel. Thus, the vice president avoided answering whether the Government maintains that Morocco did not play a role in the crisis’s start and insisted on showing “prudence.”
In any case, Cuerpo did refer to the “involvement of other types of actors” and the “importance of the action of certain types of actors through social networks” in facilitating the spread of disinformation “based on preconceived interests.”
“We all have to be aware that these types of games, these types of wars, are also played in that realm, in the realm of social networks and cybersecurity, and therefore it is an element to pay attention to and that I believe is indisputable,” argued the economic vice president, who also wanted to highlight the measures the Government of Pedro Sánchez is implementing to “support Ceuta’s economy” and the “procedures so that the economy and citizens of Ceuta can return as quickly as possible to the normality they had before July 30.”
Calls of different nature in Catalonia
The gatherings in support of Ceuta in Catalonia will take place in the four provincial capitals at 8:00 p.m., as well as in various localities in the region, such as L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Terrassa, Sabadell, Reus, or Figueres. In Badalona and Castelldefels, they have the support of their respective city councils, governed by the PP. In response to these mobilizations, other gatherings are called one hour earlier in front of various town halls under slogans like “No to racism! No person is illegal,” with the participation of unions or parties like Comuns, reports Gerard Melgar.
Valencian feminists against the gathering that “occupies” their space
Valencia, led by its mayor María José Catalá (PP), will join the gatherings promoted by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) disqualified by the PSOE this Wednesday. At 8 p.m., however, in the Valencian capital, not only the institutional act in support of Ceuta will be held, as the Feminist Coordinator of Valencia maintains the gathering it has been holding every first Wednesday of each month for 25 years.
The feminists, in fact, have also arranged to meet in the Valencia City Hall square at the same time as the council has called its solidarity act with Ceuta. The Coordinator has called it “reckless” that Catalá does not join the “denunciation of femicides and the 11 women murdered this summer” and instead makes “a call to the ultra gathering.” According to the feminists, the FEMP act “occupies” what they consider their space, so they have decided to maintain their call, reports Noa de la Torre.
Mariano Gomà: “For our institutions. For the King and the Crown. For the Rule of Law and our full Democracy!”
The former president of Societat Civil Catalana Mariano Gomà published on X a message about Ceuta Day: “Today, September 2, it is an individual and collective responsibility as Spaniards to be present in defense of our nation. Of Spain! For Spain. For our institutions. For the King and the Crown. For the Rule of Law and our full Democracy!”
Mónica García: “There are political organizations that have used Ceuta’s legitimate suffering and fear to encourage their most racist and xenophobic claims”
Mónica García was interviewed on RNE by Juan Ramón Lucas on Las mañanas de RNE and was asked about today’s demonstrations. She commented that “we must differentiate support for the people of Ceuta, through legitimate demonstrations where people want to show their solidarity, from demonstrations clearly with political intentions and intentions to shake the political ground, to blame the Spanish government and do so as a political battering ram.”
The Minister of Health highlighted that “there are political organizations that have used the legitimate suffering and fear of the Ceutan population to encourage all their most racist and xenophobic claims.” At the same time, she clarified that “everyone understands and can put themselves in the shoes of someone whose normality has been disrupted by those who have gone, of course, to hold clearly racist and xenophobic demonstrations.”
García insisted that words define facts and how to act accordingly: “When the Popular Party talks about invasion, the police in the report now also talk about invasion, the semantic cloud is invasion, they bring us diseases, they are tuberculous, they are scabby. If that is so, the response is warlike.”
And she closed the issue by pointing out that “it is undeniable that the right has used it to harass the Spanish government,” reports Pilar Pérez.
FEMP President assures that the gatherings for Ceuta are not “partisan” and regrets the PSOE’s “insults”
The President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), María José García-Pelayo (PP), has assured that the gatherings in support of Ceuta planned this Wednesday in Spanish town halls are not “partisan,” and defended their “capacity” to call them, as has been done on previous occasions for other events, while regretting the “insults” directed at her by the PSOE.
In statements to Canal Sur Radio, collected by Europa Press, García-Pelayo, who is mayor of Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), stated that this is the first time that the Government of Spain “tries to stop” a gathering called by the FEMP and also the first time that within the federation “there is no agreement around the call for a gathering.”
“I understand it is regrettable because the gatherings we hold from the FEMP are not partisan, no matter how much the PSOE insists, but they are gatherings beyond political labels,” she indicated.
She recalled that the FEMP already called gatherings in town halls after the earthquake in Venezuela; for cases of gender violence; for the tragic train accident in Adamuz (Córdoba), or for the victims of the Valencia dana, and now, however, regarding the events in Ceuta, they have “pulled out of the hat that town halls cannot call gatherings.”
Maroto accuses PP of using Ceuta to “confront” the Government and stir up Madrid
The PSOE spokesperson in the Madrid City Council, Reyes Maroto, criticized this Wednesday the gathering called by the PP in the capital over the Ceuta situation and accused the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, of using the City Council to “confront the Government of Spain” instead of offering solutions.
During a gathering of early childhood educators in Puerta del Sol, Maroto congratulated Ceutans on the autonomous city’s day and defended that the situation requires “responsibility and not confrontation between administrations,” as well as solutions based on coexistence, human rights, and International Law.
The socialist spokesperson announced that her group will not participate in the gathering called by the PP, considering it seeks “to bring tension to Madrid” and pit Madrilenians against the central Government. In this regard, she accused Almeida of using the City Council “as the PP’s fiefdom” and of spreading “a hoax” to generate confusion.
Abascal encourages gathering against the “betrayal” of Ceutans by a Government that did not act against the “invasion”
The leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, defended this Wednesday the need for all Spaniards to take to the streets to gather in support of Ceuta against a Government that has betrayed them and did not prevent the “invasion” they suffered at the end of July.
“Today, neither permits, nor organizers, nor anything matters. The only thing that matters is that Ceutans must see that all Spaniards from all towns in Spain and of any ideology are with them and that we do not forget neither the invasion nor the betrayal they have suffered,” Abascal said in statements to ‘esRadio,’ collected by Europa Press.
The Vox leader warned that “Ceuta is the crystal ball where the future” of many Spanish cities like Murcia, Almería, or Granada can be seen if Spaniards do not react. Therefore, he argued, “today all Spain must take to the streets to show that whoever collaborates with this invasion must feel the people’s rejection and, of course, must feel the full weight of the law.”
Albares demands the EU show “the same solidarity” with Ceuta as with other European borders
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has demanded the EU show Ceuta and Melilla “the same solidarity” that Spain has offered in other crises suffered at other European borders, while regretting that “some” European governments have contributed to “amplify disinformation” around the migratory crisis.
“The southern land borders of the European Union are as important as the eastern or northern borders,” Albares defended upon arriving at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers held this Wednesday in Ireland, coinciding with the Ceuta Day celebration.
The head of Spanish diplomacy claimed that Spain has shown solidarity with other European partners in various crises, recalling Belarus’s use of migration in 2021, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the migratory pressure suffered by Italy in Lampedusa in 2023, or more recently, tensions around Greenland.
Almeida accuses the Government Delegate of trying to “discourage” support for Ceuta
The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, accused this Wednesday the Government Delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, of trying to “discourage and dissuade” attendance at the gathering called this Wednesday in Plaza de Cibeles on Ceuta Day, but the response will be “forceful.”
In an interview on Telemadrid, Almeida considered the Delegation’s communication “incomprehensible from a legal point of view,” which reminded that the City Council does not have legitimacy to call demonstrations under the right of assembly, although it does not prohibit organizing, if applicable, an “institutional act.”
“I believe it simply aims to discourage and dissuade attendance at this gathering,” said the mayor, who invited Madrilenians to participate in the act and advanced that “the response this afternoon will be forceful.”
Almeida also questioned that other Government Delegations have not adopted the same criterion and pointed out that, according to his data, only those of Madrid and Cantabria have acted this way. In his opinion, the resolution means restricting the fundamental right of assembly to an institution like the City Council.
Balearic Islands claim Spain’s territorial integrity
Marga Prohens calls to demonstrate for Ceuta to “show support and claim Spain’s territorial integrity.” The President of the Balearic Government and leader of the regional PP will attend the gathering called in Palma by the Palma City Council, also governed by her party.
In the Balearic Islands, only PP city councils have supported the demonstration in favor of Ceuta and Ceutans. Although the right-wing party is hegemonic in the Balearic municipal political map, localities like Inca, the hometown of Francina Armengol, are governed by the PSOE. So far, none have officially shown support for the demonstration called for this afternoon across Spain, reports Eduardo Colom from Palma.
Compromís sees two options about the Ceuta police report: The Police “hide information” or Marlaska “lies”
The Compromís deputy in Congress attached to Sumar, Alberto Ibáñez, stated that either the Police “hide information” from their superiors or the Interior Minister, Fernando Grande Marlaska, “has lied” about the report attributing to the Moroccan Security Forces and Bodies the massive entry of migrants in Ceuta on July 30 and 31.
He indicated this via a message on the social network ‘X’ demanding that, in any case, “responsibilities must be assumed and action taken” in the Ministry. “There are two options: the Police hide information from the ‘superior command of the State Security Forces and Bodies’ or the Interior Minister has lied,” he emphasized.
Feijóo calls to gather for Ceuta against a “Government that lies and abandons Ceutans”
The PP leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has called to participate in the gatherings in support of Ceuta that will be held this Wednesday across the country, as he will do in the one called in Madrid, against a “Government that lies and abandons Ceutans.”
“The Government that lies and abandons Ceutans tries to sabotage the support gatherings in defense of Ceuta planned for today,” denounced the ‘popular’ leader in a message on the social network ‘X’, referring to the decision of the Madrid Government Delegation to not process the gathering called in Madrid by the City Council of the capital.
“I will defend my country’s borders. I will stand by my compatriots. I defend with force the Spanishness of the autonomous cities,” Feijóo said, confirming he will be at the gathering to show his support “for the Ceuta cause.”
“Despite the Government’s boycott, at 8:00 p.m., everyone to Cibeles. And all with Ceuta,” demanded the opposition leader, who will previously travel to the autonomous city to attend the institutional act on Ceuta Day with the regional president, Juan Vivas.
Page: “Today I want to congratulate you and send you all the affection and solidarity, mine and Castilla-La Mancha’s”
The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, has published on social media a message of support for Ceuta: “Happy Ceuta Day to all Ceutans, to all Ceutans. Today I want to congratulate you and send you all the affection and solidarity, mine and Castilla-La Mancha’s. A big hug.”
Moreno emphasizes that Ceuta’s cause is “Andalusia’s and all Spain’s”
The President of the Andalusian Government, Juanma Moreno, emphasized this Wednesday that “Ceuta’s cause is Andalusia’s and all Spain’s cause.” In a message on the social network X, Moreno highlighted that “on #CeutaDay, we carry the voice of a sister land to the heart of Europe. Together we defend the recovery of normality.”
“Our support from Brussels to all Ceutans! Andalusia, always with Ceuta,” Moreno stressed, who will participate this Wednesday in the gathering in support of Ceuta after this summer’s migratory crisis, which will take place in front of the European Parliament in Brussels and in which MEPs from the Popular Party and Vox will participate.
According to popular sources, Moreno goes to Brussels as vice president of the European Committee of the Regions to participate in a meeting of his community formation (the European People’s Party) in this body and will take the opportunity to join the gathering that will be held at noon this Wednesday.
Melchor León: “I don’t understand how the Government does not want to support the gatherings in support of Ceuta”
Melchor León, Vice President of the Ceuta Assembly, stated on La 1 that “they lived an invasion by Morocco,” but they have hope. “This is about the dignity of the people of Ceuta, it cannot be that the Government does not support us. We do not understand how the Government does not want to participate in the gatherings. They are leaving all the space to PP and Vox.”
“I have been attending the peaceful demonstrations called in Ceuta since day one, but today we want it to be a special day,” he clarifies.
“It is not political; we appreciate the support of anyone, regardless of politics. We do not want the demonstration to be politicized or polarized, only that they show their support for the people of Ceuta because we have lost our dignity.”
PSOE, about to disappear in Ceuta: loses 15 points and delivers 29% of its votes to a record-breaking Vivas
The start of the political course has turned into a kind of nightmare for the PSOE, facing one of the most challenging scenarios precisely when elections (not only general ones) loom on the horizon. Because after the controversial massive regularization of immigrants, the public debate remains focused on the migratory issue and, specifically, on Ceuta, which faces its most severe crisis with the entry of thousands of people who crossed its border illegally on July 30. The management of the tragedy, which has dragged the Government of Pedro Sánchez and reopened the party’s internal divisions, has nevertheless served to strengthen the leadership of the autonomous city’s president.
Juan Jesús Vivas not only emerges unscathed from the crisis but a survey by Sigma Dos for EL MUNDO boosts his popularity and allows his party, the PP, to aspire to an absolute majority in the Ceuta Assembly, in clear contrast to the PSOE’s collapse. The survey, conducted between August 26 and 30 – in the days before Sánchez’s reappearance – depicts the political cost for the socialists, relegated to a residual force after losing 15 points in voting intention. 29.4% of their voters would now choose the PP ballot.
Read the information by Noa de la Torre.
Pamplona does not join the demonstrations for Ceuta
Pamplona has not joined the general call in support of Ceuta this afternoon, despite requests from UPN and PP.
The city council led by EH Bildu, in coalition with Geroa Bai and Contigo Zurekin and with external support from PSN, has refused to join.
Still, the PP encourages gathering in all municipalities, including Pamplona, where more groups have called to mobilize.
Socialist city councils join the gatherings, but outside the FEMP
Some socialist municipalities of Valencia, Huelva, Córdoba, and Cádiz have announced solidarity gatherings with Ceuta, separate from the official FEMP one, and have called to move away from “partisanship” amid the migratory and humanitarian crisis the autonomous city is experiencing.
So far, the socialist city councils of Sagunto and Gandía (Valencia), the Huelva localities of Moguer, Bonares, and Santa Olalla del Cala, as well as the town halls of Baena (Córdoba) and Grazalema (Cádiz), have joined, with gatherings mostly at noon, in contrast to the 8:00 p.m. call set by the FEMP.
Feijóo and Abascal together on the street three years after the amnesty gatherings
It was in November 2023 when Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Santiago Abascal last coincided in a demonstration. Since then, throughout the entire legislature, popular and Vox leaders have simultaneously supported various street calls, but that convergence of their top leaders has never happened again. None of the protests organized during this time in rejection of corruption cases surrounding the Government has managed to gather the two highest representatives of the Spanish right. But Ceuta will do so today. Almost three years after that demonstration against the amnesty in Cibeles, Feijóo and Abascal will coincide again today in the same place.
And they will do so with an almost aligned message. After the constant clash that marked their relationship last year, PP and Vox start this final stretch of the legislature with their rivalry softened by co-governance pacts closed in four communities. Far from the cross reproaches they used to launch months ago, both Abascal and Feijóo have focused their discourse, within the Ceuta crisis framework, on attacking the Government’s management, even showing an almost unanimous tone regarding their migratory stance. That is why, this Wednesday, both leaders will support the call to the streets with the Executive as the only horizon in their opposition work. All in a legislature’s end in which PP and Vox do not spare tone against the Government: yesterday, Abascal’s spokesperson already accused Sánchez of being “capable of not calling elections.”
Read the information by Paloma H. Matellano, Carlos Guisasola, and Luis F. Durán.
The fearless PSOE mayors face Sánchez: “We must defend Ceuta today”
«The PSOE has decided not to participate in these gatherings.» This was the directive Ferraz conveyed to socialist officials last Saturday, four days after the President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), María José García-Pelayo (PP), announced the call for demonstrations in support of Ceuta in front of all Spanish town halls this Wednesday. However, dozens of city councils led by PSOE throughout today will ignore Ferraz’s instruction and take to the streets, either under the FEMP call or, circumventing the party’s veto, gathering in alternative events but under the same slogan. They will thus be dozens of “loose verses,” adopting the term coined by the socialist spokesperson, Montse Mínguez.
Specifically, the count in EL MUNDO‘s possession already numbers more than 30 PSOE mayors who will demonstrate in support of Ceuta. They will be spread throughout Spain, both in small towns and larger cities: the socialist mayors of León, José Antonio Diez, and Mérida, Antonio Rodríguez, will gather this Wednesday – although distancing themselves from the FEMP call. Notably, they are leaders of two of the most relevant provincial and community capitals under PSOE control.
Read the information by Paloma H. Matellano and Chema Rodríguez.
The Police inform the judge that Moroccan agents planned and executed the Ceuta jump and Marlaska demands explanations from the Corps’ Director General
The National Police informed Judge María Tardón, who is investigating the jump of about 80,000 people from Morocco to Spain through the Ceuta border on July 30 and 31, that the action was planned and executed by agents of the Moroccan security forces, in open contrast to what the Spanish Government has maintained: President Pedro Sánchez, although initially assured it was an “attack on Spanish territorial integrity” – something that by definition only another country can carry out – has maintained that Morocco neither conceived nor executed the action, blaming “mafias” of human trafficking and countries like Russia and Israel.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Interior Minister and head of the police forces, was unaware of the report. So much so that he wrote a letter this early morning to the Police Director, Francisco Pardo, to know, “if true,” since when the National Police had this information.
The National Police report sent this Monday to Judge Tardón, who was on duty at the National Court during the events, was prepared by the intelligence unit of the General Immigration Commissariat, called CENIF (National Immigration and Borders Center), and its conclusions are devastating for Moncloa.
Read the information by Quico Alsedo.
