Poll Reveals Widespread Distrust of Morocco in Spanish Society
Following the migrant crisis in Ceuta, public sentiment in Spain has shifted significantly. According to a national poll conducted by NC Report for the newspaper La Razón, a striking 69.3% of Spanish respondents believe Morocco is using the migration issue to exert political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. This figure highlights a deep suspicion among the Spanish public regarding their neighbor’s intentions.
Migration Intertwined with Sovereignty Dispute
The survey further reveals that public concern extends beyond the political sphere. 71.2% of respondents believe that Morocco’s underlying motive for initiating this wave of migration is to pressure Spain on the sovereignty of its two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla. This indicates that in Spanish public opinion, the issue of migration has become closely linked to national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Negative Views on Morocco and Calls for a Hardline Stance
The overall perception of Morocco within Spanish society has also turned negative. The results show that 77.3% of the public considers Morocco an “unfriendly” country towards Spain, while 75.2% fear a repeat of a similar migrant crisis in the future. Based on this widespread concern, there are growing calls for the government to take firm action:
- Diplomacy: 65.6% of respondents support severing diplomatic relations with Morocco.
- Security: 67.9% advocate for increased surveillance of Morocco, and 62.5% support deploying more military and police forces in the Ceuta region.
Government Accountability and Divisions within the Ruling Party
Beyond views on foreign relations, the poll also reflects public demand for accountability within the government. Nearly 60% (59.8%) of respondents believe that Spain’s Ministers of the Interior, Defense, and Foreign Affairs should be held politically responsible for their handling of the crisis.
Notably, opinions are not monolithic even among supporters of the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). The data shows significant division within the party’s base: around 23.5% agree that Morocco is pressuring Sánchez, 29.5% define the event as a “massive wave of illegal immigration,” and nearly 30% see it as an action organized by Morocco. This suggests the government’s official stance has not secured the full endorsement of its core support group.
