Murcia cancels Arabic and Moroccan culture program under Vox pressure

Friday 12 September 2025 - 10:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Murcia cancels Arabic and Moroccan culture program under Vox pressure

Far-right influence leads to policy shift

The government of Murcia has officially announced the cancellation of the Program for Teaching Arabic Language and Moroccan Culture (PLACM) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The decision, confirmed on the first day of the school year, follows sustained pressure from the far-right Vox party and forms part of a budget agreement signed with the conservative Popular Party (PP).

The PLACM program, in operation since 2012, was fully funded by Morocco’s Ministry of Education and the Moroccan Embassy in Spain. It served 350 students across 10 educational centers in Murcia, representing just 0.1% of the region’s student population. Murcia’s Education Councilor, Víctor Marín, defended the decision, citing compliance with the budget agreement and legal frameworks.

A program promoting identity and inclusion

PLACM was designed as a voluntary, extracurricular, and cost-free initiative aimed at teaching Arabic and Moroccan culture to both Moroccan and non-Moroccan students. The program sought to preserve cultural identity while fostering mutual understanding and inclusion within Spain’s educational system.

Despite these objectives, Vox’s regional leader, José Ángel Antelo, praised the decision, emphasizing that “those who come from outside Spanish borders must adapt to the customs and education of the country.”

The Moroccan Consulate in Murcia expressed regret, highlighting the program’s role in supporting families and mediating cultural integration. Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Elma Saíz, condemned the cancellation, calling it harmful to coexistence and a step backward for social harmony in Murcia.

Cancellation reflects broader tensions

The cancellation coincides with growing tensions between Spain’s Popular Party and Morocco. In July 2025, relations deteriorated when the PP invited Abdullah Arabi, a Polisario Front representative, to its congress, prompting Morocco to temporarily close customs offices in Ceuta and Melilla.

Murcia’s decision mirrors a similar move by Madrid, which terminated its participation in PLACM earlier this year, citing “control deficiencies” in program content and teacher qualifications. This affected over 1,400 students in 70 schools.

Andalusia continues to support PLACM

In contrast, Andalusia remains committed to the program. During the 2024-2025 academic year, over 1,800 students in 95 schools participated in PLACM, reflecting its ongoing success in the region. Andalusia’s Minister of Educational Development, María del Carmen Castillo, reaffirmed the program’s value, emphasizing that it is fully financed by Morocco and incurs no cost to the Spanish government.

The program, managed under a 1980 cultural cooperation agreement between Spain and Morocco, has historically served as a bridge for cultural exchange and integration.

Identity politics at play

Vox’s hardline stance against Morocco reflects its broader strategy of weaponizing identity politics to rally nationalist support. By framing Moroccan cultural programs as threats to Spanish identity, Vox fosters division and undermines Spain’s diplomatic credibility in the Mediterranean.

This approach contrasts with Murcia’s earlier incorporation of Moroccan history, such as the Green March, into its curriculum—a move aligned with Spain’s 2022 endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Sahara.

The divergent policies across Spanish regions highlight the complexities of Spanish-Moroccan relations, with implications for education, diplomacy, and regional cooperation.