National conservative party in Spain, led by Santiago Abascal; entered parliament in 2019
Spain has launched a large-scale regularisation program offering a one-year, renewable residence permit to undocumented migrants who have spent at least five months in the country and have a clean criminal record. The measure aims to strengthen the economy and uphold human rights amid aging demographics. Initial applications exceed government expectations, with more than 900,000 received by mid-June and processing ongoing.
Migrant arrivals at Ceuta from Morocco have surged, with authorities reporting thousands crossing the Tarajal breakwater by sea and on foot. Spain vows an immediate response as the border comes under pressure, with discussions of deploying more police and possibly the army to restore order.
A mass crossing at Ceuta’s border with Morocco has drawn intense EU scrutiny as tens of thousands sought entry last week. While most migrants have returned, Spain has installed a 500-meter floating barrier and vowed tighter border controls as EU governments call for a coordinated response.
Leaders across Europe have faced a sharp, unfolding disaster at the Ceuta border. A surge of migrants has overwhelmed coastal towns, intensifying tensions over migration policy. Spain is pushing back against criticism while calls grow for a coordinated EU response. The event unfolds today as officials assess humanitarian and strategic implications.
Moroccan forces have detained scores of people near Fnideq after social media calls encouraged a repeat mass crossing toward the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Security services have used tear gas and set up checkpoints; Spain has kept extra police, soldiers and a maritime barrier in place while several news agencies were ordered to leave the Moroccan border town.
Spain has imposed reciprocal border checks on travellers from Italy after Rome has kept controls that it introduced following a deadly mass crossing into Ceuta on 30–31 July. Italy has said it will not lift checks until it is satisfied there is no new migration wave or security risk. The dispute has fractured EU unity and left thousands still in Ceuta.
Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July. Spanish and local officials have said roughly 70,000 returned but Ceuta’s leader estimates 3,000–11,000 remain, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. The influx has provoked EU diplomatic rows and temporary border checks.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has said no institution has provided "solid proof" that Morocco planned or carried out the late‑July mass crossing into Ceuta. He has defended co‑operation with Rabat, blamed traffickers and online disinformation, pledged extra funding and urged a royal visit to Ceuta as thousands remain in the enclave and protests continue.
A fire at Furaha and Ujamaa schools in Bukavu, DR Congo, has killed at least 24 children with many more injured. The blaze destroyed roughly 300 homes in Kadutu; authorities say the cause remains unknown amid Congo’s security challenges and a new spike in Ebola cases.
Spain has approved a bill to grant Spanish citizenship to Sahrawis born in Western Sahara before 1977, with descendants eligible by naturalisation. The measure, backed by the government, faces Senate approval and could affect 70,000–120,000 people. The move follows Spain’s shift in Western Sahara policy in 2022 and comes amid ongoing Ceuta migrant tensions and Franco-Merman diplomacy.
Migrant influx to Ceuta has become a central political issue in Spain, sparking a debate that has spilled into football. Real Madrid players wore solidarity shirts for Ceuta, with Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate rolling up the slogans during a pre-match display. Reactions span from condemnation by far-right groups and some politicians to backing from others, as Madrid defends players' freedom to gesture.
Migrant transfers to a 1,700-capacity tent camp in Ceuta’s port have begun amid chaotic scenes, with authorities reporting several thousand remaining in the enclave. The operation is aimed at concentrating migrants for processing while sparking political debate ahead of elections.