Vox Party Calls for Transit Taxes on Marhaba Operation Vehicles in Melilla

"Certain collection methods should be put in place for vehicles in transit from Europe to Morocco," suggested Javier Diego, Secretary General of Vox Melilla. Noting that no "change" will be made in the organization of this year’s Marhaba Operation, after two years of suspension, the leader of the far-right party argued that the resumption of the Transit Operation "is not as advantageous as we are led to believe".

To read: Melilla Port Authority Urges Inclusion in Morocco’s Operation Marhaba 2022

According to Diego, "the traffic of vehicles and people this year will be much higher than in the last edition of the Marhaba Operation". In 2019, around 600 people and 200 vehicles transited daily through Melilla to reach Morocco, he recalls, however stressing that the resumption of this Operation will benefit Moroccans in Europe and shipping companies.

To read: Spanish Police Brace for Surge as Morocco-Spain Ferry Service Resumes

Vox also insisted on the safety of people and property during the Marhaba Operation, specifying that due to this holiday period, the flow of passengers will be important and that "a special deployment" of the security forces will be necessary throughout the duration of the Transit Operation, between June and September.