Morocco’s recent diplomatic remarks on Ceuta and Melilla have sent shockwaves through Spain, prompting sharp reactions from the opposition and calls for urgent consultations.

Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi’s statements to Asharq Bloomberg underscored Rabat’s stance that the two enclaves remain integral to Morocco’s territorial claims, framing the issue as negotiable under a patient, dialogue-based approach. Ouahbi also criticized Spain’s handling of the late July migrant crisis, particularly the repatriation of unaccompanied Moroccan minors, while stressing that Morocco cannot shoulder Europe’s migration enforcement burden.

The Spanish Popular Party (PP) swiftly seized on the remarks, demanding Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government summon Morocco’s ambassador for immediate consultations. PP lawmaker Jaime de los Santos, speaking in Barcelona, drew parallels with Madrid’s swift response to Italy’s Schengen suspension, questioning why a similar measure had not been taken against Morocco despite the mass migrant crossings and Ouahbi’s sovereignty-related comments.

Beyond the ambassadorial demand, the PP has filed formal parliamentary questions to Justice Minister Félix Bolaños, seeking detailed explanations on all exchanges with his Moroccan counterpart since the border crisis began and on steps taken to address Ouahbi’s statements regarding the enclaves’ status.

The conservatives also highlighted Ouahbi’s implied threat to suspend the bilateral extradition treaty with Spain—a key instrument, in their view, for managing the return of individuals who breached the border fence.

With tensions escalating, the dispute appears far from settled, as the opposition accuses the government of weakness while Sánchez’s administration resists calls for a firmer stance.