Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the attitude of some European countries regarding the migrant crisis in Ceuta as "selfish, polarizing and illegal" and demanded an urgent meeting of interior ministers.
In identical letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and Prime Minister of Ireland, which holds the EU presidency, Micheál Martin, Sánchez said, "Such an attitude, shaped by prejudice, fake news, ignorance or political gain, is contrary to European law, humanitarian law and the principles of solidarity that bind us together."
On Thursday and Friday this week, more than 50,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, and at least 67 people died trying to breach a jetty barrier. Officials confirmed that by Friday evening, more than 48,000 had voluntarily returned to Morocco.
However, the events triggered a political crisis for the Sánchez government. As some EU countries raised the issue, calls were made for Spain's expulsion from the Schengen free movement area.
Italy took the lead by suspending the Schengen arrangement with Spain. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani accused Madrid of encouraging human trafficking by implementing a plan to legalize the status of more than one million refugees and asylum seekers. The Spanish foreign minister dismissed the claim as "partisan populism."