Morocco set to be Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s first foreign destination if he becomes Spain’s prime minister

Tuesday 11 August 2026 - 08:16

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco set to be Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s first foreign destination if he becomes Spain’s prime minister

Spain’s opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has said Morocco would be his first foreign destination if he succeeds in becoming the country’s next prime minister, highlighting the strategic importance he places on relations between Madrid and Rabat.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Okdiario, the leader of the conservative People’s Party said he would travel to Morocco for his first official foreign visit as head of government. He described the choice as a reflection of his desire to establish a stable and balanced relationship with Spain’s southern neighbor.

Feijóo said he wanted relations between the two countries to be “smooth and respectful,” emphasizing that cooperation should be based on mutual respect. He also stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties with Rabat while expecting Spain to receive the same level of consideration.

His comments come amid continued political debate in Spain over the government’s approach to Morocco. Feijóo has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s handling of bilateral relations, particularly in connection with migration and recent developments surrounding the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta.

The opposition leader has called for a firm response to the events reported at the end of July, arguing that the Spanish government should provide further explanations regarding what happened and how the situation was managed.

Despite his criticism of Sánchez, Feijóo has insisted that Spain’s relationship with Morocco should be based on partnership rather than confrontation. He has also indicated that, if he takes office, he would pursue a different approach to that adopted by the current government.

Feijóo has launched particularly sharp criticism at Sánchez, accusing the prime minister of placing Morocco’s interests above those of Spain. The statement reflects the wider domestic political dispute over Madrid’s strategy toward Rabat.

Morocco occupies a particularly important position in Spain’s foreign policy because of the depth of the relationship between the two countries. Trade, investment, security cooperation, migration management and geographic proximity have made bilateral ties a major issue for successive Spanish governments.

Feijóo’s pledge to make Morocco his first foreign destination therefore carries both diplomatic and political significance. If he eventually reaches the Moncloa Palace, his first trip abroad could provide an early indication of how his government intends to manage relations with Rabat.