A controversial trip to Mauritania
Pedro Sánchez’s recent trip to Mauritania has sparked a wave of criticism from the Popular Party. Miguel Tellado, the PP’s spokesperson in Congress, has pointed out that Sánchez’s statements, where he stated that ‘immigration is not a problem, but a necessity’, constitute a ‘clear call for illegal immigration’.
The PP’s Vision on Immigration
Tellado has not held back in his criticism, describing Sánchez’s statements as “nonsense” that ignores the serious risk faced by those who try to cross the Mediterranean in dangerous conditions. According to him, the government’s policy is a departure from the strategies adopted by other European countries such as Germany and Italy, which focus on deportations and deterring irregular migration from countries of origin.
Management of Immigrant Minors
In the area of migration policy, Tellado has criticised Sánchez’s proposals for managing the distribution of immigrant minors, accusing him of imposing a system that does not consider the capacities or commitments of the autonomous communities. In his opinion, the Government is trying to shift responsibility for handling this issue to regional governments, particularly in a context where the PP does not accept that the burden falls on them.
Regional Differences
He also mentioned that the communities governed by the PP are more supportive in this context, unlike Catalonia, where the independence movement has shown resistance to accepting the distribution of minors. Tellado emphasizes that in this matter, the lessons must come from those who are willing to collaborate.
The confrontation between PP and PSOE
The debate on immigration has escalated into an open confrontation between the PP and the PSOE. While Sánchez defends an approach that promotes a “safe and orderly” migratory flow, the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has described Sánchez’s actions as a promotion of “illegal immigration”, suggesting that the Government should focus on combating mafias instead of attracting migrants to Spain.
Government Reactions
The Government’s response was not long in coming. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has harshly criticised Feijóo, accusing him of adopting ‘xenophobic’ positions and of not collaborating in the reform of the immigration law, which could facilitate a more equitable system for the distribution of minors among the autonomous communities.
An Uncertain Future
Polarisation around the issue of immigration remains a flashpoint in Spanish politics. With the PP pushing for a more restrictive approach and the government defending a more humanitarian vision, dialogue seems far from a resolution. The current situation raises questions about how immigration will be handled in the coming months and whether there will be a significant change in the policies governing this complex issue.
