Embattled Spanish PM Sánchez insists no prior warnings before Ceuta crisis
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing intense political pressure and public protests following a massive influx of migrants into the exclave of Ceuta. Sánchez denies prior knowledge of the crisis and maintains that coordination with Morocco remains intact.
Why it matters
The migration crisis in Ceuta has strained domestic political stability in Spain and caused diplomatic friction with European partners.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Paul Kirby , Europe digital editor and Guy Hedgecoe , Madrid correspondent Olmo Blanco/Getty Images Pedro Sánchez is under considerable pressure from opposition parties and tens of thousands of Spaniards protested on Wednesday night Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said no-one foresaw the influx of 72,000 migrants in the exclave of Ceuta, as pressure mounts over his handling of the crisis.
"It's absurd to think that the government knew and did nothing," Sánchez told Spain's parliament on Thursday, hours after tens of thousands of people joined protests across the country backed by opposition parties.
Sánchez also maintained there was no evidence Morocco was behind the mass crossing and there had been "close co-ordination" between the two countries.
A Spanish police report has highlighted the "total permissiveness" of Moroccan security forces, although senior officials insist it does not point the finger at Rabat.
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