Two days after swimmers began arriving massively at the beaches of Ceuta, and just a few hours after the Government declared the incident resolved, Felipe VI has wanted to speak out after following “with great concern and indignation” what he has called “serious events”.
In a statement sent through the Zarzuela communication department, it is reported that over these days “the king has remained in contact with the presidents of the two autonomous cities as well as with the president of the Government and the leader of the opposition”. The Head of State has conveyed to them “words of encouragement and firmness”.
According to the text, Don Felipe “believes it is necessary to adopt all those measures that convey in a united, clear, and decisive way to the populations of Ceuta and Melilla the support and affection of the rest of Spain”.
The Monarch takes advantage of the brief text to remind the Government that “the State must ensure their security and prevent these events from happening again”.
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Since the arrival of migrants to the coasts of Ceuta began, Felipe VI has been in permanent contact with the competent authorities. The King is in Palma, where the headquarters of the Head of State is established in August, and from there he has analyzed the evolution of the phenomenon together with his entire team.
The King’s message responds to the constitutional mandate that establishes him as “a symbol of unity and permanence,” although his role regarding Ceuta and Melilla is complicated due to the government’s interest in not upsetting Morocco. Thus, the autonomous cities are the only Spanish enclaves he has not visited during his reign, a way of proceeding that replicates Don Juan Carlos, who only traveled to the cities after his abdication. Felipe VI has not contacted Mohamed VI at any time during this week.
