Sánchez activates the PSOE for Ceuta and asks for "more voice" to defend the Government's response against the PP's offensive

The President of the Government and Secretary General of the PSOE, Pedro Sánchez, asked the socialist leadership this Monday to give "more voice" to the measures deployed by the Executive in Ceuta. The humanitarian crisis has focused the first meeting of the party's Federal Executive Commission (CEF) after the August break and has marked the beginning of a political year conditioned by the situation of the autonomous city.

Sánchez has urged the main leaders of the PSOE to explain with greater intensity the actions carried out during the last month, as reported by Servimedia. The Executive closed the meeting with the approval of a manifesto of solidarity and institutional collaboration with Ceuta, in addition to a strong defense of the management carried out by the Government.

The socialist spokesperson, Montse Mínguez, has responded to the accusations of inaction launched in recent weeks by the PP and Vox. "Enough of lies and enough of hoaxes. The Government has provided security, it has provided resources and it has provided solutions," she stated at the subsequent press conference.

Ferraz has recalled that Sánchez traveled to Ceuta on July 31 and presided over coordination meetings on August 7, 17, and 29. At least eight ministers have also participated in visits or actions related to the crisis this month. The PSOE has also called for an emergency plan endowed with 345 million euros to reinforce security, reception, and economic recovery.

Ferraz clashes with the PP over protests

A good part of the socialist response has been directed against the concentrations planned for this Wednesday, September 2, in front of hundreds of city councils. The mobilizations have been promoted by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), chaired by the PP, to show support for Ceuta and demand a more forceful response from the Government.

Mínguez has reproached the popular party for promoting the call without previously seeking an agreed text with the rest of the formations. "The tension does not help Ceuta, the partisan use of the citizens' pain does not provide solutions," she defended.

The spokesperson went on to state that the concentrations "are not done for Ceuta" and that their true purpose is to act "against Pedro Sánchez". She also accused the PP of remaining "in election mode" while the Executive worked during August and of using institutions such as the FEMP or the Senate to wear down the Government.

The socialist leadership has sent instructions to its public officials to stay away from the calls, although Mínguez admitted that there are "free verses" within the party. Ferraz considers that solidarity with the city should be concretized in cooperation between administrations and has demanded that the communities governed by the PP participate in the reception of migrant minors. "When Ceuta asks the Popular Party for help, Ceuta falls off their flag," the spokesperson reproached.

The approved manifesto condemns "unambiguously" the violent episodes against the migrant population, the State Security Forces and Corps, the Armed Forces, and humanitarian organizations. The PSOE asks for "responsibility, cooperation, commitment, and serenity" to restore normality and protect coexistence in the city.

Melchor León defies the directive from Ceuta

Ferraz's position has met with a particularly harsh response within the Ceuta PSOE itself. The vice-president of the Ceuta Assembly and socialist deputy, Melchor León, has confirmed that he will attend the concentrations despite the instructions from the federal leadership and has encouraged other colleagues to do the same.

"My city comes before any political ideology," León assured on 'Espejo Público'. The leader stated that some socialists have refused to participate for fear of possible reprisals and maintains that those who live the crisis on the ground feel that a part of the party is trying to silence their demands.

"They want to take away our voice and manipulate the reality that we Ceutans live day by day," he denounced. León also accused the Government of Spain of being the "main culprit" of the tension due to the lack of solutions, although he also pointed to the radical groups that arrived in Ceuta to politically exploit the tension.

Ferraz maintains its rejection of the mobilizations and León has reiterated that he will be on the streets this Wednesday. "As long as I can walk with my head held high through my city and have stood up for all Ceutians, for me it is a source of pride," he stated on 'Espejo Público'.