Ceuta migration crisis political row marks start of Parliament session

The visit of Minister for the Economy Carlos Cuerpo to assess the economic damage has been scheduled for this Monday. On the same day, Minister for Health Mónica García has convened Spain's regions to agree on the distribution of vaccines.

Both meetings will form part of the week's proceedings. Also for Monday, the government has scheduled the appearance of eight ministers to report on their work and find a solution to the relocation of 500 underage migrant girls.

Minister Carlos Cuerpo is travelling to Ceuta to assess the economic impact on SMEs and local businesses, in response to the demands of president of the regional government of Ceuta Juan Jesús Vivas.

Leader of the opposition Alberto Núñez Feijóo criticises the failure to return migrants and demands that the government declare a "lockdown" in Ceuta due to health risks posed by outbreaks of scabies and tuberculosis, despite this falling within the president of the regional government's remit.

The first Cabinet meeting of the new term will be held on Tuesday. During that meeting, Minister for Migration Elma Saiz will report on her department's work in Ceuta and announce the approval of a budget of 25 million euros for the care of minors.

Minister for Defence Margarita Robles will also appear before Parliament on Tuesday to list her department's actions. Her appearance marks the start of eight voluntary speeches following the controversy over the absence of ministers from the upper house.

The political confrontation will intensify in Congreso in the middle of the week, when Diputación Permanente meets. MPs will vote on a PP motion seeking to force an extraordinary parliamentary sitting at which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez would have to report personally on the crisis.

Pressure on the government will also increase when Justice Minister Félix Bolaños appears before the chamber. He will face questions about bilateral relations with Morocco and demands from Consejo General del Poder Judicial (CGPJ) for stronger institutions and more judicial resources. Mónica García will also face questions about the strain on Ceuta's healthcare system.

Meanwhile, Conferencia Sectorial de Infancia will seek to reach an agreement on the relocation of 500 minors amid mounting tensions. Regional governments controlled by Vox have refused to take part, while those governed by the PP are demanding that discussions focus solely on the 25-million-euro funding package.

The final part of the week will see Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares address diplomatic relations with Rabat, particularly after Morocco claimed Ceuta and Melilla as its own territory. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska will also appear to explain alleged intelligence failures at the border, growing discontent among police unions and the procedures under way to return migrants.

The PP has made any support conditional on the government carrying out immediate expulsions and adopting a policy of strict diplomatic reciprocity towards Morocco.

Migration Minister Elma Saiz will round off the government's appearances by detailing the measures taken to provide humanitarian assistance.

Throughout the week, the PP will continue demanding the appointment of a single commander to coordinate the emergency on the ground. The government, however, has decided against introducing such a system. Instead, it will appoint Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres as crisis coordinator, giving him responsibility for directing the work of the various ministries involved.

The government is also facing calls for King Felipe VI to make an official visit to Ceuta as a show of support from the state. Moncloa, the seat of the Spanish government, has rejected the proposal.

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