The crisis in Ceuta is bringing to the surface a sense of unease even within the progressive camp: Socialists and allies of the PSOE are criticising the handling of the emergency and are once again questioning the approach to immigration. But with elections looking increasingly difficult and fears of going down with Sánchez, many on the left continue to grumble

The fake news campaign targeting migrants is causing concern ahead of 15 August, which will serve as a test case for the countermeasures Europe has called on Meta and TikTok to implement. This had already happened in Tripoli two months ago

“They are very Spanish indeed,” replies Madrid. But Rabat wants to open negotiations. Regarding the events of 30 July, there is speculation that this was retaliation for a journalistic investigation accusing Moroccan intelligence services of spying on the Spanish establishment

Italy and Spain have common interests in Europe; to scupper the agreement on the Ceuta deal is a bizarre mistake, a propaganda stunt that echoes like a gigantic belch. Meloni cannot simply deny her immigration policy in this way

The clash between the governments in Rome and Madrid stems from a profound divergence in political views on migration issues, exacerbated by next year’s elections. The result is opposing propaganda and a series of embarrassing blunders

Pedro Sánchez’s government issues an ultimatum to Giorgia Meloni: “Reopen by Sunday or we will take proportionate measures.” Palazzo Chigi stands by its decision and responds: “We do not accept impositions on national security. We will see after 15 August.”

This is how the (false) news of the alleged opening of Spain’s borders spread online. The role of local media and social media, which acted as a sounding board and where people are still organising for 15 August 

Sanchez, British prime ministers and French ministers are discovering the rule of the digital age: politicians may well work whilst on holiday, but they must not appear to be on holiday. In the past, politicians used to go on holiday wearing Moro’s coat or staying with Andreotti’s nuns. Today, all it takes is a summer playlist on Instagram to spark accusations of irresponsibility

Dozens of deaths, Madrid’s strained relations with Morocco and Algeria, and the much-repeated war on human traffickers. It is still too early to talk about the ‘day after’