The AFD leader called for increased protection of German borders due to the situation in Ceuta

The leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) opposition party, Alice Weidel, called for increased protection of the state borders of Germany amid the mass arrival of migrants in the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta. If necessary, the politician allowed the temporary closure of the German borders and the suspension of the Schengen rules in relation to Spain. The corresponding statement was published on July 31 on the party's website.

Weidel said that what happened in Ceuta indicates insufficient protection of the external borders of the European Union. In her opinion, migrants who illegally crossed the border should be returned to their countries of origin, and the Spanish authorities need to take measures to prevent new such cases.

The politician also supported the proposal of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni to consider suspending the Schengen rules in relation to Spain. In addition, Weidel called for expanding the powers of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex and strengthening the fight against organizers of illegal migrant transportation.

"If this requires temporarily closing Germany's borders, we should not abandon this measure in self—defense," the AfD co-chair emphasized.

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Spain strengthens border security and returns illegal migrants, Morocco rejects accusations

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles Fernandez announced on the same day that migrants who illegally entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta would be returned to Morocco. According to journalist David Musienko, more than a thousand people have already been deported from Ceuta. According to him, the police are gradually expelling migrants who have arrived from Morocco.

Spain and Morocco agreed on July 30 to return migrants who illegally arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in northern Africa during the latest surge in illegal migration. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on July 31 that the republic was considering suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain amid a sharp increase in the number of illegal migrants.

This initiative has found support in Finland. Denmark has called on the European Union (EU) to consider suspending Spain's membership. Former head of European diplomacy Josep Borrel said on July 31 that EU legislation does not provide for the possibility of removing states from participation in the Schengen area on the initiative of individual countries.