Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for new European Union rules regarding the management of asylum seekers and irregular migrants to take effect by 2025, one year earlier than originally planned. This urgent request comes in response to a significant increase in migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands. At the same time, countries like Hungary and the Netherlands are attempting to opt out of the EU’s asylum regulations.
The new EU regulations, which were adopted in May, are intended to redistribute the responsibilities of hosting migrants among the 27 EU countries and expedite the deportation of individuals who do not qualify for asylum. In his address to the parliament, Sanchez emphasized the need for a collective effort from all EU member states to manage the migration flows that Mediterranean countries are currently experiencing. He stated, “We are going to demand a policy of co-responsibility and solidarity from Brussels.”
To make this happen, Sanchez plans to request that the European Commission expedite the implementation of the migration and asylum pact. He stressed that the measures concerning border control and the allocation of migrants should be put into action by summer 2025 rather than summer 2026.
Spain serves as a critical entry point for migrants seeking a better future in Europe. In the first nine months of this year alone, 30,808 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands, which is more than double the number that arrived during the same period last year. The influx has led to predictions that nearly 40,000 migrants will have entered the archipelago by the end of 2023, a record number.
The regional government of the Canary Islands is struggling to cope with this surge, currently caring for about 5,500 migrant minors, significantly exceeding their capacity of 2,000. The growing number of arrivals has shifted public opinion in Spain, making migration a key concern for voters. A recent poll by El Pais revealed that 57% of Spaniards believe there are too many immigrants in the country, and 41% express concern about immigration issues—an increase of 16 percentage points compared to a year and a half ago.
Acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation, Sanchez argued for a more open approach to immigration, highlighting its importance for Spain’s economic health. He noted that more than half of Spanish businesses are struggling to find workers, with over 150,000 job vacancies currently unfilled. He warned that if the situation is not addressed, these numbers could escalate dramatically over the coming decades.