The Government will take seven ministers to Congress to explain the Ceuta crisis while reinforcing its response on the ground

The Government will transfer to Congress, starting next Tuesday, the political and operational balance of the migratory crisis in Ceuta. Seven ministers will appear at their own request during the last week of August to explain the decisions made since the massive entry at the end of July and detail the measures with which the Executive intends to restore normality in the autonomous city.

The round will address practically all open fronts. The military deployment, border surveillance, relations with Morocco, returns, health pressure, humanitarian aid, and the protection of minors will reach the corresponding commissions while the Government expands resources on the ground and tries to contain an increasingly bitter confrontation with the President of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas.

The explanations will take place after the absences of three ministers in the Senate, described as "snubs" by the PP, and at a time when the differences between both administrations have ceased to be limited to the pace of actions. Vivas escalated his accusations against the Executive this Tuesday and Elma Saiz responded by demanding institutional collaboration and questioning the purpose of the visits of popular leaders to Ceuta.

Seven ministers will appear between August 25 and 31

Margarita Robles will open the appearances in Congress on Tuesday, August 25, to report on the role of the Armed Forces and the resources provided by Defense. On Thursday, August 27, Félix Bolaños, who will explain the general coordination and the legal response of the State, and Mónica García, who will report on the pressure borne by Ceuta's healthcare system, will attend.

Friday, August 28, will concentrate much of the attention. Fernando Grande-Marlaska will detail the security device, border control, identifications, and return procedures. José Manuel Albares will present the conversations held with Morocco and the efforts before the European Union, while Elma Saiz will report on the reception, humanitarian assistance, and the situation of those who remain in Ceuta. Sira Rego will close the round on Monday, August 31, with actions related to unaccompanied minors.

The seven appearances have been requested by the ministers themselves in an extraordinary period. The Executive wants to present a joint explanation of its management, although each responsible party must also respond to the opposition's criticisms and the claims coming from the autonomous city. The PP has also registered a plan with eleven measures that includes more personnel, a single command, permanent reinforcement of the border, and greater involvement of Frontex.

The clash over absences in the Senate

The Congress will thus become the main stage for accountability after the open confrontation in the Upper House. The absolute majority of the PP summoned Marlaska, Albares, and Robles during August without previously agreeing on the dates with the Executive. None attended their respective commission.

The Government cited agenda problems and accused the 'populares' of unilaterally setting the sessions. In Robles' case, her absence this Tuesday was motivated by her attendance at the funeral of the UME corporal who died during a fire in Huesca. The minister assured that she will appear in the Senate during the ordinary period.

The PP maintains that government members are obliged to attend when a Chamber requests their presence and accuses the Executive of evading parliamentary control. The Constitution includes this duty to appear, although the regulation lacks an automatic sanction and the usual practice is to agree on dates with the ministries. The conflict will remain open while the Upper House seeks new summons and the Executive concentrates its immediate explanations in Congress.

More reception and a growing clash with Vivas

On the ground, the Government has begun to deploy four temporary humanitarian assistance devices with an initial capacity of 1,500 people. They will be located in the Loma Colmenar bagging parking lot, the Hípica facilities, the old football field of the Cavalry barracks, and the Guano area.

Inclusión has also approved an emergency declaration of 6.5 million euros for Cruz Roja, which distributes around 4,000 food kits every day and has already assisted more than 4,000 people. Saiz announced this Tuesday that the number of places could grow as the facilities become operational. "I don't want to set a limit," she affirmed before explaining that entry will be decided individually, with special attention to women, minors, and vulnerable people.

This operation is joined by police and military reinforcements, the identification of those remaining in the city, and measures to alleviate courts subjected to a heavy workload. The National Police had located 2,168 minors by this Tuesday, while the CGPJ requested two additional magistrates, officials, and interpreters.

Another of the most relevant movements surrounding the crisis in Ceuta has been that Brussels has supported the return to Morocco of people who remain irregularly in Ceuta and has specified that European legislation also contemplates the repatriation of minors. In these cases, the procedure must be carried out individually, listening to the minor and ensuring that they will be cared for by their family, a guardian, or adequate protection services in the destination country.

The progress of these measures has not reduced the tension with Vivas. The Ceuta president assured this Tuesday that the city "feels helpless", demanded more police, and accused Morocco of using migratory pressure to "destabilize and jeopardize Spanish sovereignty." He also maintained that the Government "is failing" Ceuta and that it has sufficient means to accelerate returns.

Saiz responded by appealing to cooperation between administrations and questioned the PP's strategy. "Are you coming to collaborate and improve the situation in Ceuta or are you coming to take photos with agitators or to create tension?" the spokeswoman asked, linking the hardening of the popular discourse to Génova's directives. Vivas rejected that accusation and defended that his demands respond to the situation the city is experiencing.

Ceuta will continue to occupy the political agenda before the appearances begin. Saiz will hold new meetings this Wednesday with organizations dedicated to reception and asylum, while Alberto Núñez Feijóo will travel to the city in the afternoon to meet with Vivas. The first parliamentary examination will arrive six days later with Robles' presence in Congress.