'NOT SUSTAINABLE’ Spain demands £30m to deal with migrants but opposition call for reform
SPAIN must change its approach to immigration or face “millions” of arrivals from Africa, warned the new leader of the country’s conservative opposition as Madrid asked the EU for emergency funds to cope with migration.
Aquarius rescue ship carrying migrants disembarks in Spain
The stark warning was issued by Pablo Casado after Spanish maritime services saved 123 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean on Sunday alone.
The new head of the Popular Party, who replaced Mariano Rajoy two weeks ago, attacked the country’s socialist government for his immigration policies.
He said: “It is not possible that there are papers for all, nor is it sustainable that a welfare sate can absorb millions of Africans who want to come to Europe and we have to say it, even though it is politically incorrect.
“We are sincere and responsible about immigration.”
We are sincere and responsible about immigration
Mr Casado blasted the government’s decision to allow the Aquarius rescue boat, carrying 630 migrants, to dock in Valencia.
The boat, which has been operated since February 2016 by SOS Méditerranée and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was at the centre of a row between the European Union and the Italian government in June, which refused to let it dock and demanded another bloc’s state member takes it in.
According to Mr Casado, this move could be seen as a welcome sign for more arrivals.
Spain has become the European country receiving most migrants in 2018, overtaking both Italy and Greece, figures from the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration show.
The number of asylum seekers arriving by sea to the Spanish coasts between January and July 25 has reached 20,992, while Italy counted 18,130 and Greece 15,528.
Mr Casado promised he will “defend” the police and other forces dealing with immigration, claiming they have not been given enough support by the government and that their resources have already been cut to the bone.
A government spokeswoman rejected Mr Casado’s claims, saying: “It is false to say as Casado does that the Aquarius was a welcome for more migrants.
“When Italy closed its ports, and the route to Greece was harder, this made more migrants head to Spain.
“It needs a European response.”
She added the previous conservative government’s lack of provision to deal with the rising number of migrant arrivals led the country to struggle over immigration.
The socialist government led by Pedro Sanchez, who came to power last mother after a vote of no confidence ousted Mr Rajoy, has asked Brussels for financial help to cope with the hundreds of daily arrivals.
The European Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said: “Spain has requested additional emergency assistance, which we have received and are now assessing swiftly.”
According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Madrid requested £31.2 million (€35m) from the EU to support them with the recently arriving migrants.