# Spanish Senate crisis and Ceuta migration tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-government-ministerial-absences-regarding-ceuta > Updated: 2026-09-08T08:32:30.000Z. Sources: 183. Developments: 6. The institutional conflict in the Spanish Senate has escalated as the opposition Partido Popular (PP) prepares formal legislative actions against the government. Following the refusal of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Defense ministers to testify regarding the Ceuta migration crisis, the PP has characterized these absences as “democratic rebellion.” The PP has announced plans to use its Senate majority to file motions of censure against five ministers—Fernando Grande-Marlaska, José Manuel Albares, Margarita Robles, Mónica García, and Ana Redondo—to be voted on during the first plenary session in September. Regarding the ‘Ceuta case,’ National Court Judge María Tardón has opened a criminal investigation into the July 30 and 31 mass migration event involving approximately 72,000 migrants. The probe examines potential crimes against the state’s territorial integrity, criminal organization, and negligent homicide. The city of Ceuta has been admitted as a private prosecution party, and the Spanish Government will join as an injured party. To manage the crisis, the European Commission has approved approximately 115 million euros in emergency aid from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument. These funds are designated for thermal cameras, drones, floating buoys, additional personnel, repatriation efforts, and reception facilities. Declassified documents have fueled political debate, revealing that Spain’s National Intelligence Center (CNI) issued warnings on July 29 regarding social media calls for a mass assault on the border. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended the government, stating that while the campaign was monitored, the intelligence did not indicate the “unprecedented scale or nature” of the subsequent influx. Political tensions remain high as the PP has accused Prime Minister Sánchez of a “state lie.” Local residents in Ceuta have expressed significant insecurity, with some proposing an indefinite general strike to protest the situation. ## Claims - The CNI sent an alert to the Ceuta government delegation on July 29. (disputed by 6 sources) - The CNI informed Moroccan authorities and the government representation in Ceuta about social media mobilization on July 29. (disputed by 6 sources) - The Spanish Government maintains that the CNI did not issue a formal alert regarding a mass arrival, but rather shared information about social media activity. (disputed by 4 sources) - The CNI sent an informal WhatsApp message to the Government Delegation in Ceuta on July 29. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Social media groups with up to 180,000 followers were calling for a mass crossing of the Ceuta border. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated the document is an internal working tool with no ulterior motives. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The Spanish government declassified 40 documents regarding the Ceuta migration crisis on September 9. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The PP is studying legal measures and potential constitutional appeals regarding the ministers' absence. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Judge María Tardón has opened a criminal investigation into the mass migration entry in Ceuta on July 30 and 31. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The Spanish Ministry of the Interior created a dossier containing profiles of 280 journalists and analysts. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the magnitude of the migration crisis could not have been anticipated. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The Senate has been ignored by the Government. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Ceuta migration crisis: EU provides €115M in emergency aid to Spain The EU is providing €114.7 million to Spain to manage the Ceuta migration crisis. Declassified intelligence shows warnings of mass crossings were issued via social media days before the July surge. 160 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-government-challenges-judge-in-ceuta-migration-probe ### 2026-09-02: Spain's Interior Minister challenges judicial decision in Ceuta case Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska challenged a judge's decision regarding the Ceuta border investigation, prompting CGPJ President Isabel Perelló to defend judicial independence. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-interior-minister-challenges-judicial-decision-in-ceuta-case ### 2026-08-22: Spanish Supreme Court rejects PP bid for urgent ministerial Senate appearances Spain's Supreme Court rejected the PP's urgent bid to force ministers to testify in the Senate over the Ceuta migration crisis, opting instead for the ordinary legal process. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-supreme-court-rejects-pp-request-for-ministerial-senate-appearances ### 2026-08-19: Spanish PP appeals to Supreme Court over ministerial appearances The Spanish PP has appealed to the Supreme Court to force ministers to testify in the Senate regarding the Ceuta migration crisis and is questioning a significant rise in the Madrid-linked overseas electoral cē 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-pp-seeks-censure-of-five-ministers-over-ceuta-crisis ### 2026-08-17: Spanish Senate faces crisis as PP threatens legal action against absent ministers The Spanish PP is threatening legal action and filing motions of censure against five ministers following their refusal to appear before the Senate to discuss the Ceuta migration crisis. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-foreign-minister-skips-senate-hearing-on-ceuta-crisis ### 2026-08-12: Interior Minister Marlaska skips Senate hearing on Ceuta crisis Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska's absence from a Senate hearing on the Ceuta migration crisis has triggered threats of legal action and accusations of disobedience from the opposition. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-interior-minister-skips-senate-hearing-on-ceuta-crisis --- Cite as: Spanish Senate crisis and Ceuta migration tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-government-ministerial-absences-regarding-ceuta