Denmark has called on the European Union to consider suspending Spain from the Schengen free movement area following a massive influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Friday that the EU should explore every available option to address the crisis, including a possible suspension of Schengen cooperation.
“It goes without saying that the EU must immediately take all necessary measures and consider all options, including a suspension of Schengen cooperation. Uncontrolled immigration poses a threat to Europe and to Denmark,” Frederiksen said.
The call comes as the European Union grapples with one of its largest migration crises in recent years after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco within days.
According to Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas, about 60,000 migrants entered the territory, many swimming around the border barrier separating Morocco from the Spanish enclave. At least 34 people died during the crossing.
The influx has triggered a diplomatic and political crisis across Europe.
Spain has deployed troops, additional police officers, drones, boats and divers to strengthen security in Ceuta, while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the enclave alongside the country’s interior minister.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said 25,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco.
Authorities have linked the sudden surge to human trafficking networks allegedly spreading misleading interpretations of a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling on irregular migrants arriving by sea.
“What has emerged from our talks with Moroccan authorities is that trafficking mafias took a self-serving interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling,” Sanchez said.
The crisis has also exposed divisions within the European Union.
Italy earlier called for Spain’s suspension from the Schengen area, a position now backed by Denmark and Finland. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Morocco to immediately take back illegal migrants, while France announced tighter border checks with Spain even as it offered support to Madrid.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes in Ceuta as unacceptable.
“We cannot allow anyone to come to our (European) Union without abiding by our rules.”
Ceuta and Melilla remain Europe’s only land borders with Africa and have frequently become flashpoints during periods of diplomatic tension between Spain and Morocco.
Moroccan security forces later used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of people gathered near the border, arresting at least 30 individuals, according to reports.
The latest crisis follows a similar incident in 2021, when more than 10,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco.
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