Morocco stands out as a central topic in recent discussions about Spain’s diplomacy. The campaign to shape ties with Rabat has dominated interviews and policy debates, with Madrid’s approach to the North African country occupying a pivotal position in the last legislative period. The relationship faced its sharpest test in years as Spain navigated Western Sahara issues, and tensions with Türkiye and Algeria added further layers to the diplomatic puzzle. The legislature unfolded amid a steady focus on southern neighbors, shaping a tense yet evolving regional dynamic.
“Today we are in a moment of tension, even as some describe it as a honeymoon with Morocco,” notes a senior analyst. “Yet the underlying ties remain fragile.” Another expert, a professor of International Relations, argues that Spain has come to accept Morocco as it is, and Morocco has adapted in return. The two countries are tethered by a roadmap that began with the visit of the head of government and has shown slow but measurable progress, especially in areas of cooperation related to migration. The assessment is that Spain has moved forward on some fronts, while expectations from Morocco have faced delays in others, such as initial advances on customs and border matters around Ceuta and Melilla.
Western Sahara at the Center
The present legislature places the Western Sahara question at the heart of bilateral policy. This is not a Spain-specific phenomenon; Morocco’s foreign policy has increasingly asserted itself in recent years, and the country has weathered crises with other partners, notably Germany in the past and France more recently. There is a sense that Spain is trying to align more openly with Morocco’s stance on the Sahara while encouraging a broader regional consensus. The dialogue is framed by a political roadmap signed in 2022, which remains important as a frame for implementing newly shaped relations and guiding practical cooperation, according to a Moroccan political analyst.
Observers describe the current moment as relatively positive, pointing to Spain’s revised attitude toward the Sahara issue and the revival of high-level mechanisms that had stalled for years. The roadmap is viewed as a key reference point for the ongoing evolution in relations, offering a political framework that supports a more integrated partnership, even as some topics require delicate handling and steady negotiation.
Fragmented Consensus
One of the more fragile aspects of the current compromise is the lack of a broad Spanish political consensus on Western Sahara. The issue has not been fully publicized across political lines, and this has fed into electoral dynamics. Despite divergent positions within major parties, the government coalition remains intact, with no expectation of a sudden collapse in unity. Analysts caution that future tensions could arise from the government’s alignment with Moroccan expectations on Sahara policy and related questions such as maritime delimitation, fisheries rules, and potential disputes around territorial waters near the Canary Islands. The evolution of these issues will test the government’s ability to maintain balance while pursuing Morocco’s stated priorities.
Looking ahead, experts suggest that changes in government would likely produce only modest shifts in policy toward Morocco. A change of administration is unlikely to trigger a radical reversal, and with the Sahara policy described as a structural choice rather than a short-term maneuver, the relationship is expected to adapt rather than pivot dramatically during any future electoral cycles.
Algerian Crisis
The alliance with Morocco has, at times, coincided with cooling ties to Algeria. The strategic focus remains on maintaining stability within the broader Maghreb region, prioritizing the security and governance framework of North Africa while navigating the delicate balance of relations with Rabat. The Algerian government froze the friendship treaty with Madrid in June 2022, affecting European and regional dynamics as well as commercial interests tied to Spanish operations in North Africa and beyond. The diplomatic rift has also reverberated to affect Turkey, with some Spanish businesses facing hurdles related to trade and supply chains that cross regional lines.
Rabat–Madrid Reconciliation
The crisis deepened when Spain housed a senior Polisario Front figure in a hospital in La Rioja in 2021, a move that drew harsh reactions from Moroccan authorities who accused Madrid of attempting to shield sensitive information. The tension intensified when a public dispute erupted after a later release of contents from the Moroccan royal household, including a letter from the Spanish prime minister to King Mohammed VI. The letter signaled a shift in tone toward Morocco and the Sahara proposal, describing it as the most credible and realistic basis for a settlement. A subsequent high-level visit to Rabat solidified the renewed cooperation, and several agreements were signed to unlock the frozen aspects of the bilateral agenda. Early in the current year, a High-Level Meeting was held again in Rabat, signaling a recommitment to the partnership and a forward-looking policy framework.
As the relationship recovers, the emphasis lies on practical cooperation and political dialogue that can sustain improvements in areas like trade, migration management, security coordination, and regional stability. The path forward is framed by a shared recognition that the Sahara issue remains the decisive element of the broader bilateral relationship, with efforts aimed at building confidence and delivering tangible gains on the ground.
Related posts:
EU-Morocco Western Sahara Dispute: Fishing, Trade, and Autonomy Contention (Polisario Front) Reaffirming Franco-Moroccan Cooperation on Western Sahara Spain, Morocco, and Western Sahara: a reshaped diplomacy and rising migration Morocco-Tunisia Diplomacy and Ghali Visit: Regional Tensions and Responses US AFRICOM Weighs New Host Nation for African Lion Exercises Amid Western Sahara Tensions Morocco Expands Partnerships Amid Sahara Diplomacy Morocco Sees Spain and the U.S. as Key Partners in Western Sahara Policy Government Secrecy and Morocco Talks: A Review of Agreements and Airspace Disputes Diplomatic Tensions Over Western Sahara Between Morocco, Algeria, and Spain Spain, Sahara, and the Polisario Front: A Left-leaning stance in flux Diplomatic shifts in Western Sahara: US, UN pursue referendum and negotiated paths Who decides for the Saharawis? Western Sahara, EU rulings, and the Morocco question