Spanish PM attacked over plan for legal migration routes from west Africa

Decision to relax rules described as ‘irresponsible’ as opposition parties warn of an ‘invasion’ of migrants

Spain’s prime minister has been accused of wanting to promote Spain as “a destination for migrants” as he relaxes entry rules for African nationals.
Pedro Sánchez announced on Tuesday an agreement with Mauritania to develop “humane, safe and organised” routes in a bid to tackle illegal migration.
Speaking in Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital, alongside his host, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Mr Sánchez said “the contribution of immigrant workers is fundamental for our economy”.
The west African migration route to the Canary Islands has seen a 154 per cent surge this year.
More than 21,000 people crossed to the islands in the first seven months, according to data from the European Union border agency Frontex.
Spanish authorities believe that opening more legal routes will discourage migrants from taking the dangerous journey across the Atlantic. To that end, Mr Sanchez also agreed to issue temporary work permits for Mauritanians in Spain, and €500,000 (£421,000) to train Mauritanian security forces in better policing of migration.
However, members of Spain’s opposition party say the agreement will only worsen a crisis of migration.
“It is irresponsible to encourage the pull effect during the worst-ever illegal migration crisis,” said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP).
Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s third-largest party the far-Right Vox, said Mr Sánchez’s policies would lead to “an invasion” of migrants.
Irregular migration to Spain hit 31,155 in the months this year to mid-August, an increase of 66 per cent on the same period in 2023, according to the country’s interior ministry.
Last year saw 39,910 arrivals, 22,000 of those reached the Canary Islands from Africa in small boats.
Mr Sanchez is on his second visit this year to west Africa to curb migration to the Canary Islands and to counter the Russian presence in the Sahel region. He is due to sign a similar agreement in Gambia and will also visit Senegal, which already has a temporary migration deal with Spain.
“Immigration is not a problem, but a necessity that entails certain problems,” Mr Sánchez said.
Spain’s government has said that between 200,000 and 250,000 immigrants are needed each year to maintain the country’s welfare and public pension systems.
Vox has linked immigration with an increase in some forms of violent crime and has promised to expel immigrants who lack legal residence permits.
Spain’s government accused the main opposition PP of copying Vox’s “xenophobic” hard line on immigration.