Sánchez shares summer playlist on Instagram as Ceuta reels from mass border crossing

The Ceuta crossing

On Thursday, 30 July, between 50,000 and 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea within hours. Spanish authorities have since returned around 48,000 of them to Morocco, but several thousand are expected to remain, including up to 7,000 unaccompanied minors. Sánchez visited Ceuta on Friday and described the incident as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.

“It is a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.”

The playlist post

On Saturday, 1 August, Sánchez posted a video on Instagram titled "Soundtrack of my summer." Sitting on a white sofa, he told followers he had compiled a playlist of songs he has been listening to most this year.

“This summer I've put together a playlist with some of the songs I'm listening to most this year. It's quite varied - but I think it gives you a good impression of what I'm getting at.”

The 31-track Spotify list, nearly two hours long, includes "El Baifo" by Quevedo, "SS26" by Charli XCX, and "Tantas Cosas" by Melani, alongside classics from Madonna and The Rolling Stones. Over 1,500 users saved the playlist, and the Instagram post received more than 35,000 likes.

Backlash on social media

The timing of the post, with Ceuta still managing the aftermath of the largest migrant surge in its history, triggered an immediate backlash. One user wrote that "they just invaded Ceuta and you're sitting on the sofa talking about the background music of your summer," while another called Sánchez a "shameful president" for prioritizing a playlist over explanations and solutions. Defenders argued that maintaining a personal routine does not conflict with managing a state emergency, and the post's comment section became a political battleground.

Vacation in Lanzarote

On the same day, Sánchez began his summer holiday in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, flying there on a Falcon aircraft. He will stay with his family at the official residence of La Mareta in Costa Teguise, with a no-fly zone in effect until 24 August for security reasons. The government has not yet released his official agenda.

A recurring tradition

This is not the first time Sánchez has shared cultural recommendations; he has made a habit of posting reading lists, films, and playlists during holiday periods, a practice inspired by former U.S. President Barack Obama. The coincidence with the Ceuta crisis has turned a routine post into a flashpoint, with opposition figures and citizens questioning the prime minister's sense of priority.