The controversy sparked by Abdellatif Ouahbi’s remarks is nothing new, but the ripple effects reaching Spain’s parliament in Madrid underscore the sensitivity of the reopened debate.

During a Tuesday interview with Asharq Bloomberg, the Moroccan Justice Minister asserted that Rabat seeks negotiations with Madrid on the status of the two cities, which Morocco claims as its own, framing the issue as an ongoing discussion rooted in dialogue and patience. He also highlighted Spain’s responsibility in managing the late July migration crisis, particularly regarding the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors, while emphasizing that Morocco cannot serve as Europe’s migration police.

The backdrop of this diplomatic tension set the stage for Spain’s main opposition party, the Popular Party (PP), to take a firm stance on August 13, 2026. The PP demanded that the Pedro Sánchez government summon Morocco’s ambassador for urgent official consultations. The party cited both Rabat’s reaffirmed position on the two enclaves and its handling of the recent migration surge at Ceuta’s border as justification for the move.

Speaking during a visit to Barcelona, PP lawmaker Jaime de los Santos pressed the government to confront its own past actions. He pointed out that Madrid had not hesitated to summon Italy’s ambassador weeks earlier following Rome’s suspension of the Schengen agreement, questioning why no comparable gesture had been made toward Morocco. According to him, the mass migrant crossings at Ceuta and Ouahbi’s comments on Spain’s sovereignty over the cities would have warranted such a step.

The PP’s demands extend beyond the ambassadorial summons. The party has submitted a series of written questions to the Congress of Deputies, urging Justice and Presidency Minister Félix Bolaños to clarify all exchanges with his Moroccan counterpart since the migration crisis erupted two weeks prior. The party also seeks answers on the government’s response to Ouahbi’s remarks regarding the two enclaves.

Another grievance raised by the conservative party is the alleged threat by the Moroccan minister to suspend the extradition agreement between Rabat and Madrid. While the PP views this accord as vital for organizing the return of individuals who breached the border fence, the potential suspension adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relations.