Nationalism and support for the far-right are growing significantly in Spain following the unprecedented July 2026 migration crisis in the North African exclave of Ceuta.

 

Nationalism and support for the far-right are growing significantly in Spain following the unprecedented July 2026 migration crisis in the North African exclave of Ceuta. The influx of an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 migrants over a two-day period has deeply destabilized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist-led coalition government, transforming into a major focal point for right-wing mobilization.

Political analysts and recent polling highlight several key trends regarding the growth of nationalism during this crisis:

1. Polling Surge for the Far-Right

The anti-immigration, hard-right party Vox has been the primary political beneficiary of the crisis.

• Increased Voting Intentions: Data from polling organizations like More in Common showed Vox's support surging past 20%, rising more than 3 percentage points within a month of the border breach.
• Right-Wing Majority: For the first time, the combined polling numbers for the center-right People's Party (PP) and Vox have exceeded 50%, indicating a strong shift toward conservative and nationalist sentiments among the Spanish electorate.

2. Escalating Nationalist Rhetoric

Vox leader Santiago Abascal and other prominent right-wing figures quickly framed the events as an "invasion" and an assault on Spain's "territorial integrity." In parliamentary debates and public rallies, nationalists have demanded:

• The immediate deployment of the Spanish Navy to defend maritime borders.
• Mass deportations and an immediate freeze on distributing migrant minors across mainland Spanish regions.
• The arrest or resignation of Prime Minister Sánchez, accusing him of treason and failing to protect the nation.

3. Widespread Public Backlash

The sentiment is not isolated to far-right politicians. According to a September 2026 40dB poll conducted for El País, 72% of Spaniards rated the government's handling of the crisis as "bad" or "very bad," and nearly 90% blamed Morocco for the mass crossings. This widespread dissatisfaction has manifested in massive street demonstrations. In late September 2026, tens of thousands of protestors carrying Spanish flags marched through central Madrid, chanting nationalist slogans like "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended."

4. International Amplification

The growth of domestic nationalism has been heavily reinforced by external right-wing elements. European leaders like Italy's Giorgia Meloni—who temporarily suspended Italy's Schengen agreement with Spain over the crisis—and conservative commentators in the United States have weaponized the images of the Ceuta crossing. They have used the crisis as a prominent talking point to criticize Spain's broader legalization and migration frameworks, keeping the nationalist narrative at the forefront of the public debate.