HIBAPRESS
The migration crisis linked to the occupied city of Ceuta ignited a fierce confrontation within the European Parliament on Tuesday, as the discussion on managing migrant flows turned into a political debate between MEPs from the European People's Party and the Socialists, before the tension extended to far-right and left-wing MEPs.
The session witnessed a discussion about the events of July 30 and 31, when more than 72,000 people entered Ceuta, according to data provided by "Euronews," while the same source reported the deaths of more than 150 people during those events.
The Socialists accused the European People's Party of exploiting the issue of occupied Ceuta to attack the Spanish government headed by Pedro Sánchez, at a time when the issue also raised Italy's stance on surveillance measures extended with Spain.
Italian Socialist MEP Sandro Ruotolo stated that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is dealing with the migration file with double standards, considering that the solidarity Italy is calling for regarding the island of Lampedusa should also include Ceuta.
In contrast, MEPs from the European People's Party criticized Sánchez's government's handling of the crisis, relying, within the discussion, on a leaked report from the Spanish police, which the source said indicated the possibility of Moroccan forces pushing migrants towards occupied Ceuta.
Dolors Montserrat, an MEP from the European People's Party, criticized the Spanish government, while MEP Jeroen Lenaers leveled similar criticisms. The European Parliament is expected to vote on a draft resolution on the issue on Thursday.
The tension extended to another confrontation between the right and the left within the session, as Isabel Serra, an MEP from the "Podemos" party, accused far-right MEPs of making occupied Ceuta "a laboratory for hatred."
Diego Soler, an MEP from the "SALF" party, responded by asking her if she cared about the women who he claimed were sexually assaulted by migrants, while Jorge Buxadé, an MEP from the "Vox" party, interrupted the intervention of MEP Jaume Asens.
The session also witnessed further tension after Alvise Pérez stated that he had been insulted, before receiving a reprimand for insulting Irene Montero.
Amidst this debate, Susanna Ceccardi, an Italian MEP from the League party, warned in her speech of an alleged "invasion" of Europe by irregular migrants.
Swedish liberal MEP Abir Al-Sahlani responded by asking her directly: "Do you know where Ceuta is located?" in an intervention where she chose to bring the discussion back to the city's location and the context of the issue that was the focus of the debate within the European Parliament.
