Published: 12:10 AM, 01 August 2026
Europe turns on Spain over migrant chaos
Throngs of arrivals swam towards a crowded shore, while others rushed across the land border by taking advantage of weak security. -AFP
Spain is facing mounting calls to be kicked out of the EU's free movement zone after 60,000 migrants stormed its African exclave of Ceuta.
In the past 24 hours, the tiny territory's security forces were overwhelmed by a sudden influx of young men and entire families swimming, climbing and storming across the border from Morocco.
Juan Jesus Vivas, the mayor-president of Ceuta, said 60,000 migrants had crossed into the enclave, which typically has a population of around 84,000, similar to Weston-super-Mare.
European leaders have called for Spain's temporary suspension from the bloc's Schengen free-travel zone because of fears of a fresh migration crisis, leading to a diplomatic row between Rome and Madrid.
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, warned of a threat to European security as she led the charge for Madrid to be removed from the 29-member Schengen zone, which stretches from Portugal to Poland.
Ms Meloni said: "The images coming from Ceuta are striking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal migration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe's borders. "Italy will not stand by and watch. We are prepared to intervene to defend the borders and safety of citizens, including suspending the Schengen Area with Spain."
Finland, which lies some 2,000 miles north of the influx of refugees, also voiced its support for Ms Meloni's proposal to expel Spain from Schengen.
Mari Rantanen, the Finnish interior minister, said: "Spain has completely failed to protect the external border of the Schengen area from infiltration.
"This cannot continue. All European countries must support Meloni's proposal. Countries that do not fulfil their obligation to protect the external border cannot be members of Schengen."
Pedro Sánchez, the bloc's most pro-immigration leader, previously infuriated many of his European counterparts when he offered more than one million illegal migrants an amnesty to remain in Spain.
His acceptance of an open-door immigration policy is at odds with the EU's wider efforts to crack down on illegal arrivals.
Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister, warned that Mr Sánchez should not make the same mistake as Sweden's last centre-Left government "where a no is not a no" to illegal migration.
He added: "It is important that Spain acts swiftly to regain control of the situation and fulfil its commitments within Schengen co-operation. If the developments were to risk affecting Sweden's security or migration situation, the government is prepared to take the measures required to safeguard order and control."
