Nearly nine in 10 Spaniards say Morocco bears the greatest responsibility for the mass migrant crossings into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta in late July, according to a new 40dB poll conducted for El País and Cadena SER.
The survey of 2,000 people also showed widespread dissatisfaction with the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis, creating new political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Morocco receives most of the blame
According to the poll, 89% of respondents said Morocco bore the most responsibility for the crisis. Human-trafficking groups were blamed by 75%, social-media disinformation by 74%, migrants who crossed by 73%, and the Spanish government by 72%.
The crisis began in late July when tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta. At least 72,000 people were reported to have crossed during the border surge, overwhelming the small Spanish enclave.
Most Spaniards criticise Sánchez’s response
Only 14.2% of those surveyed considered Sánchez’s handling of the crisis positive. Around two-thirds said the government’s response had been too slow.
The findings come despite Sánchez insisting that Spain has no solid evidence that Moroccan authorities deliberately organised the mass crossing. He acknowledged that Moroccan police allowed crossings during a crucial 10-hour period but said it remained unclear whether this resulted from inaction or an inability to control the situation.
Morocco has rejected suggestions that it deliberately facilitated the crossings, instead pointing to traffickers, social media and confusion surrounding Spanish legal procedures.
Right-wing parties gain ground
The crisis is also affecting Spanish politics.
The poll showed the conservative People’s Party (PP) at 32.4%, while Sánchez’s Socialist Party fell to 27.6%. The far-right Vox rose to 17.8%.
Together, the PP and Vox reached 50.2%, the first time their combined support has passed the 50% mark in a 40dB poll during the current parliamentary term.
Vox was also identified by 27% of respondents as the political party most capable of handling immigration, ahead of the Socialists and PP.
Spaniards want stronger border controls
The survey also revealed a tougher public attitude towards immigration. About 70% of respondents preferred stronger border controls even when this could affect vulnerable migrants, while 82% supported increasing border fences and surveillance.
The findings show that the Ceuta crisis has developed beyond a migration issue and into a major political challenge for Spain’s government.
