Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday rejected criticism from several European leaders over Spain’s migration policy and defended his government’s approach to tackling irregular immigration and managing migration flows.
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“If you look at the facts, at the figures – which is kind of always what happens with the far right – it’s like night and day,” he said in Brussels, where he is attending the European Council summit. “What is being said has nothing to do with reality (…) one thing is the blah, blah, blah and another is reality.”
Sánchez was responding to comments by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who have questioned the Spanish government’s migration policies, particularly its extraordinary regularisation plan for migrants.
Sánchez drew a distinction between his disagreements with the Danish prime minister and the Czech leader’s criticism, which he likened to far-right rhetoric.
“With the Danish prime minister we have disagreements, but indeed, it has nothing to do with what the prime minister of the Czech Republic said, which, by the way, sounds very much like what the far-right Vox says in Spain,” he said.
Babis had accused some European leaders of being willing to “replace the population” to stay in power and warned that his country could tighten border controls to prevent migrants from arriving from other EU countries.
Stocker, meanwhile, described Spain’s regularisation plan as a “bad signal”, arguing that it could have consequences for the EU as a whole. Frederiksen has called on the European Commission to examine the implications of Spain’s measures.
Sanchez points to Spain’s record
In response to the criticism, Sanchez argued that Spain is making progress in controlling irregular arrivals and cooperating with countries of origin and transit.
“The migration and asylum pact that we secured under the Spanish presidency is working,” he said, adding that Spain is “a model pupil” in the fight against irregular immigration.
The prime minister cited interceptions at the Atlantic, returns and refusals of entry at airports as examples of Spain’s migration policy. He also rejected claims that Spain is part of routes used for secondary movements of migrants within the European Union.
“The reality, the data show that Spain is pursuing a very responsible policy in the fight against irregular migration, in managing regular migration flows and in cooperation with transit and origin countries,” he said.
Sanchez also emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable democratic government, stating that “because Europe indeed needs a contrast of opinions and political positions”, urging his European partners to continue implementing the migration and asylum pact.
Von der Leyen calls for stronger external borders
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyden stressed the necessity of advancing implementation of the EU migration and asylum pact and enhancing cooperation among member states. She noted that irregular crossings of the EU’s borders have declined by over half since last year.
Note:** *Correcting typo: “From the Leyen” → “von der Leyen”*>*Von der Leyen underscores the imperative to finalize the EU migration and asylum pact and fortify joint border security across Member States.*>*She highlighted her proposal to bolster Frontex’s capacity to aid states in need and stressed that collective responsibility and solidarity go side by side, though additional effort is required.*>*Emphasizing unity among leaders:*
“To succeed, it is vital to continue operating in concert,” von der Leyen declared, while European leaders continued to split on immigration management strategies.
Some countries push for changes to summit conclusions
Denmark, Poland and Italy advocated alterations to the summit outcomes — specifically requesting phrasing that does not imply an implicit endorsement of Spain’s scheme to regularise roughly 600,000 undocumented migrants. Spain and France opposed suggested revisions.
An updated draft circulated through Euronews urged member nations to steer clear of “reforms that might encourage illicit movement”. Nevertheless, a broader formulation was ultimately dismissed in favor of a tighter, milder version.*>*The revision also called upon the Commission to improve synergy between national immigration directives capable of impacting fellow members.*>*This joint initiative appeared to constitute an indirect rebuke targeting Spain’s left‑wing administration.
Macron backs Spain
Former French president Emmanuel Macron announced after the summit that ideological rifts among EU members regarding migration render responses inefficient, yet expressed support for Spain concerning the Ceuta emergency.
“We have waged a poor debate,” Macron remarked. “In my view, politicising this discussion at decision tables breeds division, and when we fracture and revert to national fixes we lose effectiveness,” he added.*>Macron characterised the Ceuta incident as a humanitarian disaster**, and noted that France did not sign the note directed to Brussels by twenty‑two EU states.*>
“Spain became the focal point of a coordinated assault,” he claimed, pointing out there was no need to wait until now to recognise who launched the campaign following the Ceuta events.
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