Babiš Demands Spain Be Barred from Schengen Over Ceuta Migration Crisis

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has slammed the Spanish government's handling of illegal migration as scandalous, accusing Madrid of legalising the status of undocumented migrants while the rest of the European Union moves in the opposite direction. He called for Spain's participation in the Schengen Area to be restricted.

According to Babiš, it is completely unacceptable for an EU member state to pursue a migration policy based on legalising illegal migrants at a time when the bloc as a whole is tightening its stance. The Czech premier also criticised the decision by Spain's left-wing government to grant legal status to migrants who had been continuously living in the country before 1 January this year and had no criminal record. Applications were accepted through the end of June, and nearly 1.2 million people applied.

Spanish authorities report that around 49,000 people, mostly from Morocco, have crossed the border since Thursday. Reception centres are overwhelmed, and additional army and police units have been deployed to the area. At least 18 migrants died trying to swim to the Spanish enclave.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Macinka described the situation as a serious problem and said he was awaiting Spain's own response. In his view, the crisis stems from an underestimation of the risks posed by mass migration. "Since Thursday evening we've been discussing the situation with several counterparts from other foreign ministries, primarily Germany's, as well as Spain's. Spain is currently preparing its position," Macinka said, adding that he was not yet ready to disclose further details.

"Europe must say 'no' to mass migration and make clear that the false demand that has built up around migrants is over," the Czech foreign minister stressed.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz