Spain’s latest migrant redistribution plan is fueling political backlash, with critics accusing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of bowing to Catalan separatist demands at the expense of other regions.
Under the deal, roughly 4,000 unaccompanied minors currently stranded in the Canary Islands will be relocated across Spain, yet the allocation has raised eyebrows—Madrid is set to take in over 700, while Catalonia will accept a mere 20 to 30.
Adding insult to injury, the deal includes financial compensation for regions that previously housed high numbers of migrants, a move widely seen as a political favor to Catalonia’s separatist party, Junts. The center-right Partido Popular (PP) slammed the agreement, accusing Sánchez of turning minors into political bargaining chips while placing an unfair burden on non-Catalan regions. Without proper funding, PP-led areas say they will struggle to provide for the influx.
VOX went even further, with party secretary general Ignacio Garriga calling the decision “gravísimo” (extremely serious), a blatant example of Junts using its influence to extract privileges for Catalonia. Rather than tackling illegal immigration at its source, critics argue, the government is incentivizing it by rewarding separatist allies with favorable deals.
The Canary Islands, overwhelmed by 48,000 migrant arrivals last year, have become the epicenter of Spain’s ongoing immigration crisis. While the government insists redistribution is necessary, the uneven burden-sharing has only deepened political tensions. Madrid’s regional government, led by PP’s Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has openly voiced frustration, pointing out that while the capital is forced to take in hundreds, Catalonia gets off with a symbolic contribution.
Despite substantial EU funding for Spain’s migration management, many argue the money has done little to strengthen border enforcement. Instead, Sánchez’s administration has prioritized keeping separatist allies happy over implementing real solutions. Meanwhile, Hungary’s tough border policies—proven to be more effective—are demonized by Brussels.
Now, the redistribution plan faces scrutiny in Congress. However, with separatist parties backing it, the agreement is expected to pass, leaving opposition leaders fuming over what they see as another politically motivated, lopsided deal.
