Carles Puigdemont puts the status of Sebta and Melilla back at the centre of the Spanish debate. The former Catalan president calls the two cities “colonies” located in Morocco and proposes submitting their belonging to Spain to a referendum.
Spaniards are calling for greater control in Ceuta and Melilla, without sacrificing cooperation with Rabat. According to the latest CIS barometer, 86.3 % consider understanding with Morocco important, while 82.2 % want to strengthen the borders.
The Ceuta crisis has severely damaged Morocco’s image in Spain. Yet only 3.1% of Spaniards want to suspend diplomatic relations with Rabat. European intervention or immediate returns at the border receive far more support.
Socialist mayor of Saint-Ouen, Karim Bouamrane, has officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election . The 53-year-old official intends to unite the left by relying on his local track record and his assumed identity.
In Belgium, a recent study reveals that one in five citizens judges others solely based on their first name. This unexpected bias heavily penalizes social relationships and stems primarily from young people as well as highly educated profiles.
Morocco enjoys a significantly more favorable image than Algeria among French people, according to a Toluna-Harris Interactive study for MGH Partners on France’s foreign policy. The kingdom appears as a privileged partner, while Algeria divides public opinion more.
Faced with the resurgence of anti-Semitic acts in Europe, the Jewish community of Brussels is expressing its growing concern. A Brussels merchant of Moroccan origin highlights the striking security contrast between the Belgian capital and his native country.
As the holy month begins this Wednesday, 18 February 2026, statistics reveal unprecedented enthusiasm among young Muslims in France. Between the search for meaning, the affirmation of identity and health benefits, the ritual is becoming an essential appointment for new generations.
The publication of a recent Ifop poll on the relationship of young Muslims to their religion is the subject of a legal challenge. Four representative bodies of the faith have decided to take legal action against the study, arguing that it lacks neutrality and fuels stigmatization.
The majority of French people have a good image of Morocco. On the other hand, Algeria’s prestige has plummeted.
Morocco has become one of the five countries (the United States, Yemen, Turkey and Iran) that have seen the largest number of rallies against Israel, in the context of the war in Gaza. This is revealed by a survey relayed by an Israeli media.
In Morocco, the lifting of the requirement for a marriage certificate in hotels is still not unanimous. According to a recent poll, two-thirds of Moroccans say they are dissatisfied with the lifting of this measure.