Adis Ahmetovic, the SPD Bundestag faction’s foreign affairs spokesperson, has called for solidarity with Spain in response to the influx of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. His statement comes as a reaction to a letter sent by 22 European Union Heads of State and Government which included criticism directed at Spain.
Speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” Ahmetovic stated that his party supports Spain’s initiative to call for a joint European consultation on the current situation in Ceuta. Furthermore, he insisted that the German federal government must do everything needed to protect the integrity and unity of the Schengen Area. This stance directly challenges demands for Spain to be excluded from Schengen, an agreement that permits border crossings within Europe without controls.
Ahmetovic emphasized that the message must be clear: Spain’s territorial integrity must be guaranteed, and the EU must resist being divided. He argued that a combination of determination externally and solidarity internally is required, aligning with the fundamental principles of a liberal, democratic Europe. This call for respect and solidarity for Spain also echoed previous remarks made by SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil.
Separately, internal tensions within the SPD have reportedly arisen over the fact that CDU leader Friedrich Merz may have co-signed the letter critical of Spain. Party sources indicated that the SPD believes it should not emulate the hardline, right-wing stance adopted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in her opposition to Spain.
