Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled Madrid’s Plaza de Colón and surrounding avenues on 26 September to denounce what they described as the Sánchez administration’s “negligent” response to the migrant surge in Ceuta. Organised by the conservative platform Sociedad Civil Española and backed by the People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox, the rally demanded snap elections before 15 November and the immediate return of all irregular arrivals to Morocco. Chants of “Ceuta no se vende” and “Sánchez dimisión” reverberated through the capital as speakers accused the government of failing to protect Spain’s external borders. Attendance estimates varied widely: the national delegation in Madrid put the crowd at 20,000, while organisers claimed 180,000. Police reported no major incidents. The protest signals how migration has become a defining political issue ahead of Spain’s 2027 general election. For multinational firms with expatriate staff, the polarised debate could foreshadow abrupt policy shifts—from accelerated asylum procedures to stricter residency checks—depending on who ultimately governs. Already, a draft decree leaked to El País suggests the cabinet may shorten asylum decision times and limit applicants’ ability to remain in Spain during appeals. Corporate mobility teams should watch upcoming cabinet meetings and parliamentary sessions for concrete measures that could alter visa processing times or the legal status of third-country nationals. Public sentiment may also influence regional authorities, potentially resulting in protests or counter-protests that disrupt transport in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
Source: Al Jazeera / The Local ES
