Protests in Spain over government's handling of Ceuta migrant crisis
Thousands of protesters across Spain have demonstrated against the government's handling of a massive migrant influx into the exclave of Ceuta. Opposition parties accuse Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of failing to protect the border, while the government claims the crisis is being exploited for political gain.
Why it matters
The migration crisis in Ceuta highlights deep political polarization in Spain and ongoing tensions regarding EU border management.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Large crowds gathered in the capital Madrid
Thousands of people have protested in cities across Spain against the government's handling of the influx of migrants to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the north African coast.
Spanish opposition parties accuse Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of abandoning the residents of Ceuta, while the government says right-wing parties are exploiting the crisis.
On Wednesday a police report said Moroccan security forces showed "total permissiveness" during the unprecedented influx, days after Sánchez insisted Morocco was not responsible. Senior police officers have also stressed the report does not directly attribute what happened to the Moroccan government.
He has blamed trafficking gangs and online misinformation for encouraging people to cross the border. Morocco has denied orchestrating or being involved in the mass crossing.
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