Europe is divided over Ceuta: from the suspension of Schengen to border controls, the positions of the various countries

From France’s border tightening measures to the decision by Austria, Finland and Denmark to back the suspension of the Schengen Agreement proposed by the Italian government. Europe is divided over Ceuta, and far-right parties, from the AfD to Reform UK, are capitalising on the migration crisis. The events of the past twenty-four hours in the Spanish exclave on the North African coast – namely, the arrival of nearly sixty thousand migrants who have crossed the border by land or by swimming – have inevitably sparked a backlash against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from the domestic opposition, with Vox leader Abascal referring to the government as a “treacherous and corrupt mafia”, and has also attracted the attention of the whole of Europe. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, offering the Union’s support, reiterated that “dangerous crossings must cease immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as permitted by our rules”. The President then announced that she had tasked two commissioners with supporting and monitoring the situation: Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, who “is already working closely with Spain and is ready to visit the hotspots and will work on providing further operational support to Spain, including through Frontex”, and Dubravka Suica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, “who is in contact with her Moroccan counterpart”.

Elsewhere in the EU, the EPP group leader in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, spoke on social media of a “shocking situation”, whilst criticising Sánchez’s migration policy: “These devastating images are the direct consequence of the pull factor created by mass regularisation, combined with the exploitation of illegal immigration. This proves one thing: the Migration Pact and the rules on return must be implemented today, not tomorrow. And Frontex must be strengthened. The Sánchez government must act swiftly and decisively to protect our common external borders.”

European far-right groups, such as ESN – Europe of Sovereign Nations and the Patriots, have instead called for an extraordinary session to be convened. Jordan Bardella, leader of the Patriots and the Rassemblement National, wrote a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola asking that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez be invited to take part in the parliamentary debate and that other groups in the European Parliament endorse the request: “Our nations and our peoples must not suffer the consequences of the Spanish Socialist government’s passive complicity in the face of what constitutes a full-scale, coordinated migrant invasion of European territory,” the MEP wrote on X. The ESN family, for its part, subsequently posted on X, drawing a parallel between Ceuta and the Russian invasion of Kyiv: “Thousands of irregular migrants have stormed the border fences in Ceuta. The images bring 2015 to mind – and Brussels must not allow such a loss of control to be repeated. That is why we are calling for an extraordinary session of the European Parliament. In 2022, Parliament was convened for an extraordinary session following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The dramatic situation at Europe’s external borders now requires the same level of determination.” In essence: “The EU must finally secure its external borders, stop mass illegal immigration and regain control of its territory. 2015 must never be repeated. Europe must remain Europe.”

The Italian government has announced its intention to suspend the Schengen Agreement with Spain, a proposal that has divided Europe between centre and centre-right parties, which support Rome’s initiative, and those on the left, who are more cautious. Finland, Austria and Denmark have already stated that they are ready to take this step. “Spain has completely failed to protect the Schengen area’s external borders from infiltration. This situation cannot continue. All European countries must support Meloni’s proposal. Countries that fail to fulfil their obligation to protect the external borders cannot be members of Schengen.” This was written on X by the Finnish Minister of the Interior, Mari Rantanen. Meanwhile, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker wrote on X that “Austria is prepared to temporarily close the Schengen area’s borders should developments in Spain result in increased migratory pressure on its own territory”. Finally, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called on the European Union to “immediately take all necessary measures and consider all possibilities, including the suspension of Schengen cooperation. Uncontrolled immigration poses a threat to Europe and to Denmark". Frederiksen went on to say that she had already spoken to Meloni on the matter and wished to broaden the coalition: "We are bringing European leaders together to discuss the situation," she said. In addition to them, the Swedish government is also not ruling out the possibility of suspending Schengen: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on X that it is important for Spain to act urgently to regain control of the situation and fulfil its commitments under the Schengen cooperation framework. “Should this development pose a risk to Sweden’s security or its migration situation, the government is prepared to take the necessary measures to safeguard order and control.”

The far-right parties also agree with Meloni’s proposal. Whilst in Germany the government’s position is that of Chancellor Friedrich Merz – namely, support for Spain’s intention “not to allow illegal migrants to enter the European continent; Morocco must implement the Return Regulation without delay” – AfD leader Alice Weidel, capitalising on the migration crisis, has stated that “the destination for most of these migrants should be Germany. Germany must prepare: the borders must be secured and pushbacks must be rigorously enforced. If necessary, the Schengen Area must also be suspended". Marine Le Pen, the Rassemblement National’s candidate in the French presidential election, shares this view: “Faced with the massive and coordinated influx of migrants into Spain, encouraged by the Spanish government, France must strengthen its border controls without delay. In 2027, we will put a stop to this madness by restricting Schengen free movement to EU citizens.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, however, limited himself to a brief comment: “Giorgia Meloni is right”. Elon Musk also weighed in on the debate, comparing the situation in Ceuta to a zombie invasion by posting a scene from the film World War Z. 

The Socialists and Democrats take a different view on the Schengen issue. On X, the group’s European chair, Iratxe García Pérez, wrote: “Enough of the political opportunism of the ‘right-wing parties’ on the Ceuta issue. The increase in migration flows is caused by smuggling networks exploiting a ruling that limits automatic returns, not by regularisation. Solidarity must take precedence over manipulation and fake news.” Spanish Socialist MEP Javi López, Vice-President of the European Parliament, also weighed in on the same issue, writing on X: “Italy’s position is unworthy of a European partner. When migration is exploited for political gain, Europe responds with solidarity, not selfishness. After more than 700,000 arrivals from Libya, Italy has received support from Europe, not moralising lectures. Solidarity is not a one-way street.” Speaking on behalf of Renew Europe, MEP Sandro Gozi responded on X to the statements made by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani: “It’s as if to say that Italy, between regularisations and arrivals by sea, should have left the Schengen Area. When demagoguery becomes a boomerang.”

Meanwhile, the French government has adopted a middle-of-the-road approach, announcing a tightening of border controls with Spain. In a message posted on X, the French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, states that, as of yesterday evening, acting on President Macron’s instructions, he has ordered ‘immediate’ measures to tighten controls at the Spanish border and has deployed the ‘Rapid Border Intervention Force’ to carry out thorough checks.