Growing Dissent Within Spain’s Socialist Party Over Western Sahara Stance

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 24th, 2024 — Amid heightened tensions surrounding Spain’s shifting stance on the Western Sahara conflict, the ruling Socialist Party finds itself in a moment of internal upheaval. Discontent is brewing within the ranks of the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), as many of its members believe that the current policy on Western Sahara is not aligned with Spain’s legal and moral responsibilities, particularly in light of recent rulings from the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

On October 4, 2024, the ECJ ruled unequivocally that Morocco has no sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, reaffirming the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. This judgment has sparked calls for Spain to revert to its historic stance on the issue, which has traditionally supported the Sahrawi right to self-determination through a UN-backed referendum.

The turning point came in 2022 when the Spanish government, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, shifted its position in favor of the so-called ‘Morocco’s autonomy plan’ for Western Sahara. This controversial decision, which sidestepped both international law and the UN’s resolutions, was met with resistance from various factions within the PSOE, including regional and youth branches, who now demand that Madrid reassess its position.

In a remarkable move, PSOE officials have decided to exclude any references to Morocco or Western Sahara from the upcoming 41st party congress scheduled for late November in Seville, despite repeated calls from grassroots activists within the party to address the issue. This decision, reported by El Independiente, has further deepened divisions within the party and exposed the tension between the party’s leadership and its base.

The fallout from the Spanish government’s shift in policy has been significant, not only within the political landscape but also on the diplomatic front. Spain’s support for Morocco’s position has led to strained relations with Algeria, a key regional player, resulting in the withdrawal of the Algerian ambassador from Madrid and the imposition of economic sanctions on Spanish companies that were operating in Algeria. These sanctions have already led to the collapse of several Spanish businesses in Algeria, according to Spanish media reports.

Within the PSOE, many party officials argue that Sánchez’s decision in 2022 was a grave mistake that violated Spain’s historic responsibilities as the administering power in Western Sahara. They point to the European Court of Justice’s rulings and the United Nations’ repeated calls for a referendum as a basis for restoring Spain’s original position. The younger members of the party have gone even further, calling for official recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), in a move reminiscent of Spain’s recognition of Palestine in May 2024.

The push for a policy shift is not only grounded in legal arguments but also in the principle of justice and international norms. These PSOE members contend that Spain, as the former colonial power in Western Sahara, has an ethical and political obligation to support the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. They argue that Spain’s failure to do so has emboldened Morocco and undermined the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The situation has also led to a series of legal challenges in Spain’s Parliament, where opposition parties have regularly scrutinized the government’s position. Sánchez’s administration has narrowly avoided votes of no confidence on several occasions, but the internal pressure is mounting. His government has since backtracked on any explicit support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in international forums, including the United Nations, and has refrained from endorsing it in bilateral engagements with Morocco.

The timing of the debate could not be more significant. The European Court’s ruling in October 2024, which further highlighted the legal distinction between Morocco and Western Sahara, has given fresh momentum to calls for Spain to take a more active role in the decolonization process. The ruling also demanded the cancellation of trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco that involve Western Sahara’s resources.

As the international community watches closely, Spain is facing a crucial decision on whether to continue its complicity with Morocco’s occupation or to honor its historical role in the decolonization process. The PSOE’s grassroots activists are urging their leadership to seize this moment, calling on the Spanish government to resume its advocacy for a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara and to recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as a step toward justice for the Sahrawi people.

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