Spanish Parliament Debates Border Security After Migrant Surge in Melilla

The debate follows the statements of the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who, questioned last week by deputies after the migrant assaults on the Melilla border, condemned the "violence" of the latter, while praising the good migratory cooperation with Morocco. The parties close to the government, the PSOE and Podemos, agreeing with this, recalled the actions taken by the Executive to equip Ceuta and Melilla with a "smart border".

To read: Spanish Senate Rejects Vox Proposal to Include Ceuta and Melilla in NATO Protection

For PP deputy Ricardo Tarno, Morocco is an "indispensable ally in ending irregular immigration", rightly recalling Morocco’s aid that has prevented thousands of migrants from entering Melilla on more than one occasion. According to the parliamentarian, a permanent deployment of the armed forces requires "specific collaboration" with the Civil Guard and the National Police. This is why he invited Vox to "less demagoguery and fear-mongering" on this issue of protecting the autonomous cities by NATO.

To read: Vox Party Criticizes Government’s Stance on Ceuta and Melilla Security Amid Moroccan Concerns

For his part, Vox deputy Javier Ortega Smith criticized this "absurd contradiction" of PP and Vox on this issue, assuring that "Europe will only survive if it has strong nations" and "secure borders". He also criticized Podemos for "supporting" Vladimir Putin, whom he considers a "dictator, communist, tyrant", not to mention denouncing unaccompanied foreign minors, whom he describes as youth gangs, as well as migrants "who cause insecurity in our streets".