Tens of thousands protest in Madrid over Ceuta migrant crisis

September 27, 2026 at 01:21 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Madrid on Saturday to demand early elections and accuse Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government of negligence over the Ceuta migrant crisis. The protest was organized by right-wing civil society group Sociedad Civil Espanola and backed by the People's Party and Vox. The government put attendance at 20,000 while organizers claimed 180,000.

Key Facts

The Spanish government estimates that between 6,000 and 10,000 stranded migrants remain in Ceuta.
More than 70,000 migrants stormed into Ceuta from Morocco at the end of July, before most were returned.
Protesters are calling for an early election to be held by mid-November, with Vox demanding Sanchez be tried for treason.
Spain's next general election is not due until August 2027.
The government is planning to approve a decree on Tuesday to accelerate the return of migrants from Ceuta to Morocco, according to El Pais.

The Protest

Saturday's protest in Madrid was organised by right-wing civil society group Sociedad Civil Espanola and backed by the mainstream conservative People's Party (PP) and far-right Vox. According to the government, 20,000 people attended, while protest organisers put the turnout at 180,000. Demonstrators accused Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his government of failing to protect the borders of Ceuta. They are calling for an early election to be held by mid-November, with Vox demanding Sanchez be tried for treason. The protest is the second under the March for Dignity banner; the first, in late May, attracted 40,000 protesters according to the government.

Ceuta Migrant Influx

At the end of July, more than 70,000 migrants stormed into the autonomous Spanish city of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, before most of them were returned. However, thousands remain stranded, and the Spanish government estimates that between 6,000 and 10,000 stranded migrants remain in Ceuta. The July 30 and 31 surge of people into Ceuta led to unprecedented scenes and the deaths of dozens of migrants. Sanchez said on Tuesday that Moroccan border control failed to adequately handle the incident and that an investigation was still under way, adding that Rabat had been asked for answers.

Political Reactions

PP's secretary-general Miguel Tellado said there was a "widespread feeling that the government has not acted responsibly; there has been a dereliction of duty, extreme negligence". Vox leader Santiago Abascal is demanding that everyone who arrived in late July be deported to their country of origin. Abascal said Ceuta remained "invaded because Sanchez continues to be Morocco's servant". Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Saturday that the government is planning to approve a decree on Tuesday to accelerate the return of migrants from Ceuta to Morocco.