Spaniards View Morocco as a Military Threat Despite Improved Relations
In recent years, the relationship between Morocco and Spain has shown signs of improvement; however, a significant number of Spaniards continue to perceive Morocco as a military threat, ranking it just behind Russia. According to a recent survey conducted by SocioMétrica for the newspaper El Español, over half of the Spanish population considers Morocco to be one of the foremost military dangers facing their nation. This survey comes at a time when public sentiment towards various global powers is fluctuating, oscillating between cooperation and skepticism.
The study, which surveyed 1,712 eligible voters from April 15 to 18, 2026, boasts an estimated margin of error of ±3%. The methodology employed ensured that a diverse representation across gender, age, and political affiliations was achieved. The results are revealing: 57.6% of respondents categorize Morocco as a military threat, a perception likely influenced by ongoing claims from Rabat regarding the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Additionally, a striking 61.4% of those surveyed believe that Spain should actively distance itself from Morocco, while only 31.7% advocate for closer ties.
Political Implications of Public Perception on Moroccan Relations
Further analysis of the survey highlights a significant divergence between public opinion and the current policies of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government regarding Morocco. Among voters of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), 52% regard Morocco as a threat, with this perception peaking dramatically among supporters of the People's Party (97.3%) and Vox (92.2%). In contrast, voters from the Sumar and Podemos parties exhibit a more favorable view, as 62% do not perceive Morocco as a threat and 65% support the idea of strengthening bilateral relations.
Interestingly, among PSOE supporters, opinions are nearly evenly split, with 45.5% favoring a distancing from Morocco and 45.3% advocating for stronger ties. This division occurs despite a notable shift in Spain’s diplomatic approach under Sánchez’s leadership, particularly following his endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara in 2022, which marked a significant departure from the previous stance of his party.
When compared to perceptions of other global powers, Russia emerges as the primary military threat, with 67.9% of respondents identifying it as a direct danger, and 74.2% supporting a distancing from the country, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Conversely, the United States is perceived differently; only 29.5% view it as a threat, while 61.7% advocate for closer relations. Additionally, the survey indicates that 52.1% of Spaniards see Israel as a military threat, contrasting with 41.9% who do not share this view, and 48% support distancing from Israel. Moreover, 34.2% identify Iran as a threat, yet a substantial majority (78.5%) believe that Spain should maintain distance from Iran.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
