Romanian politicians divided over Spain's handling of Ceuta migrant crisis

Romania's political figures have adopted divergent stances regarding the migrant crisis unfolding in Spain's Ceuta enclave, highlighting a split in the country's approach to European migration policy.

Nicușor Dan, President of the Save Romania Union (USR), has aligned himself with leaders from 22 European Union member states. This group has formally requested the European Commission to scrutinize Spain's migration policies. They express concern that certain measures, such as Spain's plan to regularize undocumented migrants, could inadvertently incentivize further illegal entries into the EU.

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Spain has always been a close friend of Romania and stood by us when it mattered, including during our path towards Schengen.

In contrast, Sorin Grindeanu, a prominent leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and former Prime Minister, has voiced strong support for Spain. In a message posted on platform X, Grindeanu emphasized the long-standing friendship between Romania and Spain. He specifically recalled Madrid's crucial backing during Romania's accession process to the EU and its ongoing efforts to join the Schengen Area.

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Romania knows the value of solidarity. Now, as Spain faces significant pressure at the EU's external border in Ceuta, our solidarity goes out to the Spanish people, to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and to all those working to protect citizens and Europe's common border.

"Spain has always been a close friend of Romania and stood by us when it mattered, including during our path towards Schengen," Grindeanu stated. "Romania knows the value of solidarity. Now, as Spain faces significant pressure at the EU's external border in Ceuta, our solidarity goes out to the Spanish people, to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and to all those working to protect citizens and Europe's common border."

Grindeanu stressed that protecting the EU's external borders and strengthening European solidarity must proceed hand-in-hand. His statement comes as the letter signed by 22 EU states, notably excluding France, Portugal, and Luxembourg, criticizes Madrid's approach. The crisis in Ceuta, which saw approximately 50,000 migrants arrive from Morocco, has reignited the European debate on border control and migration management.

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Protecting the external borders of the European Union and strengthening European solidarity must always go hand in hand.