The tension between the Government and the Community of Madrid intensifies
The dispute over the return of unaccompanied foreign minors (menas) has reached a new level of confrontation between the central Government and the Community of Madrid. The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, has made it clear that he has no intention of accelerating the repatriation process for the 110 menas demanded by the Madrid president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. During an informational breakfast organised by Europa Press, Torres emphasised that any action must strictly respect the established administrative procedures.
In his speech, Torres not only avoided committing to a quick solution but also issued a veiled warning by recalling that “some returns” in the past have ended in legal conflicts. This statement underscores the complexity of the process and suggests that any rushed attempt could have negative repercussions.
The Government's response comes just after Ayuso announced her intention to take legal action against the Government delegate if the files to return these minors to their families are not immediately activated. The president argues that Madrid is bearing a disproportionate burden in terms of assistance and economic costs due to the prolonged care of these minors.
Despite the urgent demands from Madrid, Torres defended the need to follow a rigorous protocol for repatriations. He stated that “it is not because the Government does not want to do it” but due to the legal requirements inherent in the process. He also confirmed that the extraordinary mechanism for redistributing immigrant minors will remain in effect until at least 2027, which implies more transfers to communities like Madrid.
The minister's speech also included criticisms of parties such as the PP and Vox, whom he accused of obstructing agreements on immigration. Instead of offering concrete solutions to the growing pressure on social resources in various autonomous communities, the immigration debate has once again become fertile ground for political confrontation.
Torres concluded his speech by quoting Essay on Blindness, a work by Portuguese author José Saramago, to reflect on how a society can marginalise its most vulnerable members. This literary reference contrasts with the practical concerns expressed by various autonomous communities regarding the imminent collapse of their public resources in the face of an unprecedented migration crisis.
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