Macron and Sánchez Reinforce Franco-Spanish Ties Amid Ceuta Migration Surge and Treaty Setback

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the Moncloa Palace to discuss the mass arrival of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Both leaders highlighted historic bilateral cooperation in defence, economy and energy interconnection.

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The meeting coincided with the Spanish Senate’s vote on the Treaty of Friendship signed by Sánchez and Macron in Barcelona in January 2023. Lawmakers from the People’s Party (PP) and Vox rejected the treaty by 142 votes against, 106 in favour and one abstention. The rejection came six days after the Constitutional Court ruled on September 23 that the treaty complied with the Spanish constitution. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares accused the PP of “sabotaging” the agreement, while PP members insisted their objections did not question France’s strategic importance.

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Sánchez apologized for the Senate’s “no vote,” promising that parliament would approve a similar agreement before the end of the current term to reaffirm the “sense of brotherhood” between the two nations. He called for a “far more ambitious” EU budget, greater transparency on social-media algorithms, and mechanisms to shield member states from foreign electoral interference. Both leaders reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a rules-based international order.

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• “There was constant communication with him and with his government.” — Pedro Sánchez, Spanish prime minister

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• “The balance between solidarity and responsibility is very important.” — Emmanuel Macron, French president

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• “In the face of the law of the strongest and the fascination with authoritarianism, Spain and France will always stand up for multilateralism and a rules-based international order.” — Pedro Sánchez, Spanish prime minister

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