23.08.2026 20:10
Alice Weidel, the leader of the opposition far-right Alternative for Germany party, made a striking statement. Pointing to the sudden surge of irregular migrants from Morocco to Spain's Ceuta, Weidel said, 'We say it clearly: we are closing the borders. And if something like what happened in Ceuta occurs, we will withdraw from Schengen.'
Alice Weidel, co-chair of the opposition far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, made a harsh statement following the irregular migration crisis that broke out in Spain's North African territory of Ceuta.
"WE SAY IT CLEARLY, WE ARE CLOSING THE BORDERS"
Arguing that the EU's external borders are inadequate, Weidel said, "We say it clearly, we are closing the borders. If situations similar to what happened in Ceuta recur, we will withdraw from Schengen."
The AfD leader, citing the influx of irregular migrants reaching Ceuta via Morocco, stated that Germany should immediately tighten border controls to protect its own public order. Political circles and government representatives, however, reacted with criticism, finding Weidel's proposal contrary to EU law and the principles of free movement.
REFUGEE CRISIS IN SPAIN
On July 30, intervention was carried out against more than 800 irregular migrants attempting to swim from the shores of the city of Fnideq in Morocco to Ceuta, Spain's North African territory.
It was reported that all available resources of the Spanish government were mobilized regarding the incident.
The Spanish government had decided to deploy armed forces to the region to ensure security following the increase in irregular migration attempts towards Ceuta.
The number of irregular migrants who lost their lives while trying to cross from Morocco to Spain was most recently announced as 88.