Tensions Rise as Popular Party Regions Snub Government on Migrant Minors Conference

In a significant political move, regions governed by the Popular Party have once again rejected participation in the Government's Sectoral Conference on Childhood and Adolescence scheduled for Wednesday. Notably, Ceuta was the only territory to attend, leading to insufficient attendance and the meeting's cancellation due to lack of quorum, as reported by sources from the Ministry of Youth and Childhood. The conference aimed to discuss crucial topics concerning the relocation of migrant minors, with three key points on the agenda: the violence faced by children, the implementation of the Barnahús model, and updates regarding the capacity of reception systems for unaccompanied migrant minors. Although these topics were primarily informational, they will still be presented to the Council of Ministers in the upcoming weeks. In a statement regarding her absence, Social Affairs Minister Ana Dávila criticized the legality of the meeting, claiming that the Community of Madrid would not engage in what she termed the ‘reckless migration policy’ of President Pedro Sánchez regarding the relocation of migrant children. This situation echoes a similar incident that occurred on August 17, 2025, when Popular Party-governed regions opted out of a meeting that aimed to determine the future of approximately 3,900 foreign children and adolescents residing in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, or Melilla. The arguments for withdrawal seemed consistent between both occasions, indicating a broader pattern of resistance regarding the issue of relocating minors. The relocation process continues to be a contentious challenge for Spanish governments, often facing significant hurdles from regions led by the Popular Party. The current developments follow the Community of Madrid's announcement to cease hosting migrant minors, compounded by accusations against the Government of separating sibling groups and transferring minors with relatives in different communities during such relocations. In March, the Government had mentioned plans to modify Royal Decree-Law 22025, which establishes a mandatory relocation mechanism for minors during extraordinary migratory situations, effectively extending the deadline for implementation until August 2027. This decree emphasizes the importance of coordination with public protection entities and an individualized assessment of each minor’s situation, including their will and family connections. By the end of February 2026, over a thousand minors had already been relocated from areas experiencing the highest migratory pressure, namely the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Nevertheless, with the recent withdrawal of support from the Popular Party-governed communities, a future resolution for thousands of vulnerable minors now hangs in the balance, complicating the potential for collaboration between the central government and regional administrations. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2