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Podemos believes Morocco could use the migration crisis to «blackmail» Spain

Spain’s left-wing party Podemos has warned the Spanish government against reaching a solution with Morocco to solve the problem of migration. The party believes that Morocco uses the current migratory crisis to blackmail Spain.

Pablo Iglesias, Podemos leader./Ph. DR
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Left-wing party Podemos has chosen to stand out against Rabat, as the migration crisis is making headlines in both Morocco and Spain. While Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his ministers are urging the European Union to grant Morocco more aids to manage its borders, the far-left party has decided to warn the Spanish government against the consequences of the current situation, which according to Podemos makes the Iberian country rely too much on Rabat.

Through one of its spokespersons in the lower house of the Spanish parliament, Podemos urged Sanchez’ cabinet to solve migration problems with its own means. «You cannot export it to countries that violate human rights», said Ione Belarra, reports Europa Press.

For Podemos Morocco might blackmail Spain because of migration

«Having Morocco playing the role of a watchdog to our borders might have negative consequences. It would be a mistake for a democratic country like ours», she told media.

The MEP also felt that Rabat’s ability to limit the number of migrants crossing the borders to reach the Spanish coasts is not innocent. Belarra stressed that Morocco could use the migration crisis to «blackmail» Spain on other files, an idea shared by other Spanish political parties.

On the other hand, the politician called for regularizing the situation of migrants, arriving from Africa as the measure «respects human rights». «People are not obliged to force their way into Ceuta and Melilla or cross the Mediterranean», she added.

The MP also called the Sanchez’ government to stop deporting sub-Saharan migrants to Morocco. For the record, on the 3rd of October 2017, the European Court of Human Rights has condemned Madrid for its practices. The Rajoy government immediately appealed and the verdict will be issued next October.

In addition to the Podemos' warnings, a group of deputies from far-left party, the Basque Nationalist Party, the Republican Left of Catalonia, Compromis (Coalition of Valencian nationalist formations) and Bildu (close to the Basque separatists) called, in a letter, the Spanish government to reject the fisheries agreement signed in July between Morocco and the European Commission.

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