The supposed shift that marginalizes Spain from the resolution of Western Sahara conflict

Abstract

Spain is the European Union member state most concerned about the Western Sahara question, not only because of its direct ties as a former colonial power, but due to the interference caused by the conflict in its relations with its two Maghrebi neighbours, Morocco and Algeria. The declaration made by the Spanish government aligning itself with the Moroccan position
has had direct domestic and foreign consequences. This text examines the extent to which this represents a substantial and significant shift in the Spanish position, in what would be a revision of its traditional position of ‘active neutrality’, and how this might affect Spain’s ability to make constructive contributions to the resolution of this conflict.