Spain’s Popular Party Criticizes Sánchez Over Polisario Leader’s Entry, Backing Morocco Amid Diplomatic Crisis

There is practically not a single day when the Popular Party does not address harsh criticism to the Executive regarding the entry of the leader of the Polisario Front into Spain. Clearly, the PP wants to know if Pedro Sanchez is responsible for Ghali’s entry into Spain, reports Publico. The party of Pablo Casado has criticized the Sanchez government over this "illegal" entry of Brahim Ghali into Spain, which has provoked a serious diplomatic crisis with Morocco and an unprecedented migration crisis that occurred in May with the mass arrival of migrants in the city of Ceuta.

To read: article 86620

For the Spanish government, Ghali’s entry into Spain was done "in accordance with the law" and according to the established practice in the matter. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha Ganzalez Laya, reiterated this position on Monday during her appearance before Judge Rafael Lasala of the Zaragoza court. "With this statement from Laya, it is urgent to set up a parliamentary inquiry commission for the manifestation of the truth. We want to know who gave the instructions to locate the political responsibilities," said the PP spokeswoman in Congress, Cuca Gamarra.

To read: Spanish Opposition Seeks Inquiry into Polisario Leader’s Controversial Entry

Regarding the Sahara issue, the PP has always supported the position of the UN and the Polisario Front to go to a self-determination referendum. Moreover, members of the PP in government had maintained contacts with the leaders of the Polisario Front in the past. For example, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ana Palacio, had met in 2003 with Mohamed Abdelazziz, Ghali’s predecessor as president of the SADR. In 2012, José Manuel García-Margallo also exchanged with Polisario representatives.