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Catalonia’s Far-Right Rise Reshapes Independence Politics as Migration Concerns Grow

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A growing focus on immigration, crime and housing is reshaping politics in Catalonia, with the separatist Aliança Catalana gaining support ahead of the region’s 2028 election. The party, led by Silvia Orriols, is polling behind Spain’s ruling Socialists and has made restricting migration and improving public safety central to its message.

Aliança’s rise is creating divisions within the broader independence movement. Traditional pro-independence parties have ruled out governing agreements with the party, while some have adopted more conservative positions on migration. A July Catalan government survey found that the party was attracting voters who had previously supported both the separatist Junts and the anti-independence Vox.

The shift comes as voters’ priorities change. Affordable housing, migration and crime topped concerns in a July survey, while support for Catalan independence stood at 45%. Aliança’s support has risen from 3.8% to 16.7% in voter intentions, according to an El Mundo poll cited by Reuters, highlighting the changing political landscape ahead of the next regional election.

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Spain Faces Growing Climate Change Challenges

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Spain is facing mounting climate-related pressures, with severe wildfires, rising temperatures, droughts and floods affecting communities and the economy. Around 300,000 hectares of land have been burned in Spain this year, while farmers in affected regions have suffered major losses to livestock, crops and pasture.

Rising temperatures are also affecting Spain’s tourism sector. The country experienced 61 days of heatwaves this year, with cities such as Toledo recording temperatures above 40°C on several occasions. Tourism workers are adapting by changing tour schedules, providing more water and shade, while some visitors are increasingly choosing cooler destinations and travelling during spring and autumn.

Drought and extreme rainfall are adding further challenges. Catalonia introduced water-use restrictions after years of low rainfall, while devastating floods in Valencia in 2024 caused 237 deaths and an estimated €4.5 billion in direct damage. Economists say climate change could weigh on economic activity, although investment in a greener economy could also create new jobs and opportunities.

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Spanish Police Launch Operation to Clear Migrants From Ceuta Beaches

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Spanish riot police and military personnel began an operation on Friday to move thousands of migrants from beaches in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. Authorities estimate around 10,000 migrants remain in the territory after more than 72,000 people crossed from Morocco during an unprecedented border rush in late July.

The operation began early Friday morning, with migrants being escorted from beaches to temporary accommodation at the port. Tensions emerged as people competed for limited shelter spaces, and Reuters footage showed police firing rubber bullets into the air and using batons before the situation calmed and the relocation continued. A new temporary facility has space for around 1,700 adult men, while minors are being housed separately.

Humanitarian organisations say thousands of migrants remain without adequate shelter and are sleeping on beaches and pavements. One NGO estimated that around 4,000 people were still outdoors in Ceuta. NGO leaders also said authorities had been slow to provide sufficient accommodation under European migration rules, while officials may expect many migrants to return voluntarily to Morocco.

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Spain Approves Citizenship for Sahrawis

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Spain’s lower house of parliament has approved legislation granting Spanish citizenship to Sahrawis born during the period when Spain administered Western Sahara. The bill passed with 168 votes in favour, 31 against and 145 abstentions, and would also allow eligible citizens’ descendants to apply for citizenship.

The move could benefit an estimated 70,000 to 110,000 Sahrawis. Spain ruled Western Sahara from 1884 until 1976, after which Morocco asserted control over much of the territory. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, continues to seek independence for Western Sahara.

The citizenship decision could further complicate Spain’s already sensitive relationship with Morocco. Spain shifted its position in 2022 by backing Morocco’s proposal for autonomy in Western Sahara, after previously supporting a UN-backed referendum on the territory’s future.

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EU Sends Patrol Boats to English Channel Amid Migration Crisis

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The European Union’s border agency Frontex will deploy patrol boats to the English Channel and North Sea to support French search-and-rescue operations amid increased migrant crossings. Two Spanish vessels will operate from September to October, followed by a Lithuanian boat through January.

The Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, where migrants attempting to reach Britain face dangerous currents and overloaded boats operated by smugglers. French coastguards have carried out multiple rescues, including saving 157 people from a migrant boat that caught fire in August.

Migration remains a major political issue in both France and Britain, with governments under pressure to curb dangerous crossings. Britain has agreed to provide France up to £660 million under a three-year border security deal, while the two countries are also testing a “one in, one out” arrangement involving undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.

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Ceuta Residents Urge Calm Amid Migrant Crisis

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Residents of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta called for calm on Wednesday as hundreds of rallies were planned across Spain over the region’s growing migrant crisis. Authorities estimate that more than 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remain in temporary camps, on streets and along beaches nearly five weeks after a major border crossing from Morocco.

The situation has led to frequent protests, with some residents criticizing the central government for its handling of the crisis and demanding that migrants be returned to their countries or relocated elsewhere in Spain. Recent demonstrations have also seen sporadic attacks around migrant camps, while authorities have arrested people involved in clashes with security forces. Local organizers said they wanted peaceful demonstrations and sought to prevent far-right groups from provoking further tensions.

Political disagreements have complicated efforts to find a solution. The opposition People’s Party has backed calls for stronger action, while the left-wing government has accused its opponents of using the crisis for political gain. Madrid has increased temporary accommodation capacity to more than 3,400 places and deployed over 1,600 police officers, but local leaders and charities say more resources are needed to protect both residents and migrants.

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Earthquake Rocks Historic Granada, Injuring Three and Damaging Buildings

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A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck southern Spain on Tuesday morning, leaving at least three people lightly injured and causing structural damage across the historic city of Granada and surrounding areas. According to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN), the shallow tremor occurred at 10:37 local time at a depth of under 10 km, with its epicenter located near the town of Alhendín, about 10 km south of Granada. The quake is the latest in a series of frequent, shallow seismic events that began in the region the previous Friday.

The sudden shaking sent terrified residents fleeing into the streets over fears of strong aftershocks. Falling debris from damaged buildings crushed parked vehicles, while municipal operations were disrupted, forcing the closure of several administrative buildings, sports centers, and local museums. Transit was also impacted, with Granada’s metro network reducing train speeds to 30 km/h (19 mph) as a safety precaution.

Granada’s famous medieval Islamic palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alhambra, was closed for the afternoon following the tremor. The world-famous attraction, which draws millions of international tourists annually, temporarily suspended visits as officials assessed the impact of the quake.

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Migrant Women Report Sexual Harassment in Spain’s Ceuta

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Women staying in makeshift camps in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta say they are facing sexual harassment and fear of assault while waiting to be registered by authorities. More than a dozen women are sleeping outdoors near an overcrowded migrant reception centre, which is currently sheltering around 700 people despite having capacity for about 500.

Spain’s largest police union, SUP, said 15 sexual assault cases of varying severity had been reported since July 30, although authorities have not confirmed the figure. Ceuta court authorities have confirmed three cases involving migrant women, including two minors. Health Minister Monica Garcia said medical services had treated five women for sexual violence and stressed that providing safe accommodation was an urgent priority.

Human rights organisations including Save the Children, UNICEF and Amnesty International have called for urgent measures to protect vulnerable migrant women and girls. Authorities are expanding temporary reception facilities and distributing food and hygiene supplies, but women living in the makeshift camps say they remain afraid, lack privacy and struggle to access safe toilets and showers.

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Meta and TikTok Agree to Fact-Check Content After Deadly Ceuta Border Rush

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Meta and TikTok have agreed to work with fact-checkers to address misleading content about migration routes into Spain following a deadly rush at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The agreement was announced by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, who said the move aims to prevent criminal networks from using false information to encourage migrants to attempt dangerous crossings.

More than 70,000 people reportedly rushed toward Ceuta from Morocco on July 30, with nearly 100 people reported dead. Viral videos on social media were among the content that helped fuel the rush. Under the new crisis mechanism, Meta and TikTok will cooperate with fact-checkers and take action against content linked to people smuggling.

European Commission officials and Europol are monitoring the situation closely and holding daily discussions with the platforms. The EU said the companies can voluntarily block or reduce the visibility of harmful content, while the Commission does not directly order them to remove posts. Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves in North Africa, remain key routes for migrants seeking to enter Europe.

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Spain Checks Italy Arrivals as Migration Dispute Triggers Border Controls

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Spain checked nearly 200 travellers arriving from Italy at six major airports on the first day of newly reinstated border controls, following a growing dispute with Rome over irregular migration. Spain’s Interior Ministry said 199 passengers on 12 flights were checked at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante and Valencia.

The controls, covering flights and ships from Italy, are scheduled to remain in place until September 7. Spain introduced the measures after Italy suspended the Schengen border-free travel arrangements with Spain, following a surge in migration to Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. Italy has said its own controls will remain in place until at least August 15 and will mainly target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain.

The dispute has raised concerns over temporary restrictions within Europe’s passport-free Schengen Area, which includes 29 countries. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome hopes to lift its measures soon if the risk associated with irregular migration decreases.

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