The Congress reproves Minister Marlaska for the third time and censures his management of the Ceuta crisis

The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, received his third parliamentary censure this Wednesday since taking office. The motion promoted by the Popular Party has passed in Congress and includes an express request to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to proceed with his dismissal for the management of the migratory crisis in Ceuta.

The initiative accuses the Ministry of the Interior of "evident unprotectedness of Spanish borders", of "abandonment of Ceuta" and of having incurred in contradictions regarding the warnings and alerts received before the massive entry of migrants recorded on July 30 and 31.

The section related to the censure has prospered with the votes of PP, Vox, Junts and UPN. PSOE, Sumar, ERC and PNV voted against, while Podemos, EH Bildu, BNG, Coalición Canaria and the Compromís deputy Àgueda Micó opted for abstention.

The resolution represents a new political setback for Marlaska, although it lacks executive effects. The decision on his continuity rests with Sánchez, who for the moment maintains his confidence in the minister. As 'ElConstitucional.es' already reported, the PP had turned this vote into a new parliamentary offensive against the head of the Interior.

More personnel and explanations from Morocco

The Chamber has also supported the immediate and permanent reinforcement of the National Police and the Civil Guard in Ceuta, along with the presence of the Armed Forces as long as necessary. The text demands more personnel, material resources, accommodation and allowances, as well as special devices in streets, educational centers and usual routes for schoolchildren, women and minors.

Another of the approved points urges the Government to accelerate the identification and processing of return, repatriation or asylum files for people who entered irregularly. In the case of unaccompanied foreign minors, the motion asks to determine their age, confirm their identity and locate their families before evaluating a possible return, taking into account their best interest and the guarantees provided in the legislation.

Congress also requests to call the Spanish ambassador to Morocco for consultations and to summon the Moroccan ambassador in Madrid again. The initiative demands that the Executive clarify whether the authorities of the neighboring country "allowed, consented to or facilitated" the arrival of tens of thousands of people to Spanish territory.

Sánchez has so far defended that the Government lacks solid evidence to conclude that Morocco organized the massive entry, although he acknowledged that Moroccan agents allowed the crossings for about ten hours. Rabat has rejected any involvement and has attributed what happened to social media, mafias, and a mistaken interpretation of a judicial resolution.

The Chamber has, however, rejected the motion presented by the far-right Vox. The far-right intended to hold the Government responsible for crimes that migrants may commit, deploy the Navy to the maritime border, and suspend the Treaty of Friendship with Morocco. The PP abstained from this text.

Marlaska's censure has coincided with the validation of the Government's decree mobilizing 309 million euros for Ceuta. The norm has obtained 304 favorable votes, with Vox as the only party against and Junts' abstention. The package includes 118 million for reception and humanitarian aid, 90 million for security, 80 million for businesses and workers, and another 21 million to reinforce essential services.