Sánchez addresses Spanish parliament over Ceuta crisis

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, is appearing in the Congress of Deputies, at his own request, to report on the government’s handling of the events in Ceuta and on the current situation in the autonomous city. His appearance comes amid strong criticism of the Socialist government over its response to the migration crisis triggered after thousands of people entered from Morocco at the end of July.

The situation has also sparked an intense political debate over border control, the reception of migrants and Morocco’s role in the crisis. The opposition has demanded that the government explain the decisions taken since the start of the emergency and outline the measures planned to manage its consequences.

It comes after a day of massive demonstrations in support of Ceuta in numerous parts of Spain, with particular support in the autonomous city itself, Madrid and Seville.

In Madrid, the Government Delegation estimated the attendance at more than 50,000 people, while the City Council raised the figure to 150,000. Although the demonstrations were mostly peaceful, the night ended with disturbances in the vicinity of the Congress of Deputies.

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