Spanish PM Sanchez Sparks Controversy with Private Moroccan Vacation

Sources from the Moncloa have confirmed the information to EFE, indicating that it is a "strictly private" trip and that Sanchez has traveled at his own expense on a regular flight to Marrakech airport. Sanchez arrived on Tuesday at 11 a.m. (12 p.m. in Spain) at Menara, the city’s airport, where he plans to visit the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The acting Spanish president also plans to go to Tetouan, in the north of the kingdom, where King Mohammed VI is also spending his vacation.

Sanchez’s choice to spend part of his vacation in Morocco will undoubtedly spark controversy in Spain, especially since he is the first head of government to spend his vacation abroad and in Morocco. The president has probably wanted to highlight the excellent relations he maintains with the Moroccan monarch following his support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. A controversial decision that, for the moment, has not yet benefited Spain, which is still awaiting the reopening of the commercial borders of Melilla and the opening of an office in Ceuta.

Several personalities have had to spend their vacations in Morocco. This is the case of former President Felipe González who, after leaving office, regularly went to Tangier and Asilah, in northern Morocco, for years. King Juan Carlos also spent a week of vacation in May 2011 in one of the two royal palaces in Marrakech. The same is true for Queen Sofia, who has visited Ouarzazate.