Protests in Spain over government's handling of Ceuta migrant crisis
Thousands of protesters across Spain have rallied against the government's handling of a massive migrant influx into the North African exclave of Ceuta. Opposition parties are calling for the Prime Minister's resignation, accusing the administration of failing to protect the border and mismanaging the crisis.
Why it matters
The crisis highlights the growing political polarization in Europe regarding migration policy and the diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Large crowds gathered in the capital Madrid
Thousands of people have protested in cities across Spain over 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 had displayed "total permissiveness" during the unprecedented influx, days after Sánchez insisted Morocco was not responsible.
He has blamed trafficking gangs and misinformation on social media for encouraging people to cross the border. Morocco has denied orchestrating or being involved in the mass crossing.
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