Vox challenges EIB funding for Morocco road and rail projects

The Patriots for Europe group, the third-largest political bloc in the European Parliament, has questioned why the European Investment Bank (EIB), led by Spain's Nadia Calviño, is financing €365 million worth of road and rail projects in Morocco while Spain faces growing challenges in maintaining its own railway network.

Spain's Vox party, a member of the group, sought to include criticism of the funding in the European Investment Bank's annual report by submitting an oral amendment. However, the proposal was rejected after several MEPs, including members of Spain's Socialist Party, objected to it.

Vox criticized the allocation of funds to improve road and rail safety in Morocco, arguing that the EIB should prioritize infrastructure projects within the European Union. The party said the amendment was intended to make this position an official stance of the European Parliament.

Although the amendment initially appeared in the report's voting documents, it was ultimately excluded from the final text. According to Vox, Socialist MEPs blocked it by invoking a parliamentary procedure that allows oral amendments to be withdrawn if a sufficient number of lawmakers object.

The EIB financing package includes €300 million for the expansion of Morocco's motorway network and €65 million for the railway sector, including a €15 million EU grant dedicated to climate adaptation projects.

The bank says the investments will improve mobility, enhance road and rail safety, and strengthen economic connectivity between Europe and Africa, describing Morocco as a strategic partner in its external investment policy. In its annual report, the EIB also noted that it has invested more than €12 billion in Morocco since 1979, supporting projects in sectors including water, energy, transport, education, healthcare and private-sector development.