The Spanish political arena is witnessing an unprecedented diplomatic feud, with Morocco at its center. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has escalated tensions by accusing the Partido Popular (PP) of adopting an «anti-Moroccan» stance, framing what was once a cooperative bilateral relationship as a domestic political battleground.
Albares argues that the PP is weaponizing foreign policy—particularly the critical partnership with Morocco—to score points against the government. The accusations follow a series of sharp statements and controversies involving current and former PP leaders, leading Albares to label the opposition as an «obstacle» to Spain’s diplomatic strategy.
Beneath the political rhetoric lies a far more consequential reality: since 2022, Spain and Morocco have cultivated a deep strategic alliance. This partnership spans migration control, economic exchange, security cooperation, and even joint plans to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal. The depth of this relationship was further solidified in late 2025 through 14 new cooperation agreements and a joint declaration aimed at deepening political dialogue.
the western Sahara dilemma and the PP’s shifting narrative
The Western Sahara question remains the most contentious issue. When Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in March 2022 that Spain viewed Morocco’s autonomy plan as «the most serious, credible, and realistic basis» for resolving the dispute, the PP swiftly condemned the move. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, then opposition leader, argued that the decision broke decades of bipartisan consensus in Spanish foreign policy, criticizing the lack of prior consultation with the main opposition party.
Yet, the PP’s official stance has since wavered. While its documents emphasize respect for international law and UN resolutions, they stop short of endorsing the exact wording used by the government to support Morocco’s autonomy initiative. This ambiguity reflects a deeper inconsistency within the party’s ranks. Under former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s leadership, Spain maintained a cautious approach without outright opposition to Morocco’s proposal. However, the PP has also included factions sympathetic to separatist views, most notably in July 2025 when a purported representative of the Polisario front attended the party’s national congress, sparking controversy and raising questions about the party’s true position.
In February 2026, Albares accused the PP of a double standard: publicly criticizing the autonomy plan while privately advocating for it in Morocco through «secret emissaries». If confirmed, this would expose a glaring contradiction—using the Sahara issue as a political tool from opposition benches while risking severe diplomatic repercussions if the PP were to reverse Spain’s current stance upon taking power.
a changed international context
The geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since 2022. Morocco’s autonomy plan has gained broader international support, and the issue has evolved within the United Nations framework. Spain, too, has embedded its position on Western Sahara within a much larger bilateral relationship with Morocco, one that extends beyond the dispute itself. For the PP, reversing this position would not be a simple policy tweak—it would reopen one of the most sensitive chapters in Madrid-Rabat relations.
The party has yet to provide a clear answer: Would a Feijóo-led government uphold Spain’s current stance on Western Sahara, or revert to the pre-2022 doctrine? So far, the PP has avoided a definitive response, leaving its intentions—and the potential fallout—unclear.
vox’s influence and the rise of ‘national priority’
The PP faces additional pressure from the far-right Vox party, particularly on immigration and social benefits. In April 2026, the concept of «national priority»—historically tied to far-right ideologies—entered mainstream political discourse in Spain. Vox successfully pushed the idea in Congress and regional agreements, forcing the PP to take a stance.
Internal divisions within the PP emerged as some leaders warned of the legal and political costs of adopting such a controversial concept. Jaime de los Santos, a PP official, clarified that «all legally residing immigrants have the same rights as Spanish-born citizens», while others opted for softer phrasing like «residential priority» or «anchoring». Yet, the debate had already signaled a shift: Vox has succeeded in shaping part of the PP’s agenda, blurring the lines between mainstream conservatism and far-right nationalism.
feijóo’s dilemma: opposition vs. governance
The PP’s core paradox lies in its inability to reconcile its opposition rhetoric with the realities of governing. From the opposition, it can freely criticize Sánchez’s Morocco policy and the Western Sahara stance. But if Feijóo wins the premiership, he will inherit a relationship that is now deeply institutionalized, strategically vital, and economically intertwined with Morocco.
The cooperation between Spain and Morocco is not merely a political choice—it is a necessity dictated by geography, security imperatives, and shared economic interests. The 2030 World Cup co-hosting agreement alone ensures decades of collaboration. A rupture in this relationship would not only be politically costly but also practically unfeasible.
The most plausible scenario is not a break with Morocco but a continuation of the current policy under a different guise. The PP would likely find itself forced to maintain the existing framework, leaving it to explain to its base why it has not reversed decisions it has long condemned. Albares’ accusations of covert diplomacy suggest that behind closed doors, the PP may be far more pragmatic than its public stance implies.
The real question is not whether the PP is «anti-Moroccan», as Albares claims, but how far the party is willing to go in exploiting this bilateral relationship for electoral gain—and how much of that rhetoric would survive the transition from opposition to governance. Spain’s relationship with Morocco transcends political cycles; it is a strategic imperative that no government can afford to disregard.
