Spain pledges continued cooperation with Morocco after 2026 election

Yesterday 01:30

Spain has signalled that Morocco’s parliamentary election results will not alter Madrid’s intention to maintain close working relations with Rabat, with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stressing that his government is prepared to cooperate with whichever administration emerges from the post-election process.

Speaking on Spanish public radio RNE, Albares said Spain would work with “any government” in Morocco in order to preserve good relations between the two neighbouring countries. He also indicated that Madrid would continue cooperating with the Moroccan government formed after the elections, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries.

Madrid seeks continuity after Morocco’s vote

Albares’ comments came a day after Morocco held legislative elections, with provisional results placing the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) first with 97 seats in the House of Representatives.

The National Rally of Independents (RNI) secured 66 seats, followed by the Istiqlal Party with 65. The Justice and Development Party (PJD) finished with 54 seats. The figures were announced by Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and remain provisional. National turnout was reported at 38.08%.

The distribution of seats will shape the political negotiations that follow the election, but Albares’ statement places the bilateral relationship within a framework of institutional continuity rather than linking it to the performance of any particular Moroccan political party.

Ceuta and Melilla remain a sensitive issue

At the same time, the Spanish foreign minister reiterated Madrid’s position on Ceuta and Melilla, describing both as Spanish cities. His remarks come after a period of heightened attention to the two Spanish autonomous cities, particularly following the large-scale arrival of migrants in Ceuta in late July.

Spanish authorities have repeatedly maintained that Ceuta and Melilla form part of Spain and the European Union. In September, Albares also launched measures aimed at strengthening the cities’ integration into European structures, including work concerning their participation in the EU Customs Union and greater European support for their border-management needs.

The issue remains one of the most sensitive elements in the relationship between Madrid and Rabat, alongside migration, border management and economic cooperation.

The 2022 roadmap remains a reference point

Albares also referred to the bilateral roadmap established in April 2022, following talks between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Mohammed VI.

That process marked a new phase in relations after a diplomatic crisis between the two countries. The roadmap was built around permanent communication, mutual respect, compliance with agreements and cooperation on issues of common interest. It also envisaged the gradual restoration of normal movement of goods and people through the crossings of Ceuta and Melilla.

The Spanish government subsequently described the relationship with Morocco as strategic, with cooperation extending to areas including migration, security, trade, infrastructure and other shared interests.

A relationship shaped by overlapping interests

The latest statement from Madrid comes as both countries face a range of issues requiring continued coordination. Migration management and border security remain particularly important, while economic and commercial links have also become central components of the bilateral relationship.

The political transition following Morocco’s election therefore takes place against an already established framework of cooperation. Albares’ remarks indicate that Madrid intends to engage with the next Moroccan government through that framework, regardless of the eventual coalition or composition of the executive.

For Spain, the immediate challenge will be to preserve cooperation while managing issues on which the two countries maintain different positions, particularly concerning Ceuta and Melilla. The election has changed Morocco’s parliamentary landscape, but Madrid’s stated approach is to continue dialogue with the institutions that emerge from the new political configuration.