This incident marks the second time that PP communities have been absent from a sectoral meeting on this issue, as they also refused to participate in July of last year. Autonomous representatives accuse the Government of Spain of trying to “prolong” a forced distribution of these minors, alleging a supposed concealment of data regarding the individuals affected by this measure.

The meeting aimed to provide information on the Royal Decree that updates the capacity of protection systems for unaccompanied foreign minors. This decree, which was already approved the previous year with a similar procedure, stipulated that Andalucía would host 677 minors, making it one of the regions with the highest involvement, only surpassed by Madrid (647) and the Valencian Community (571).

Minister Sira Rego lamented the absence, calling it “absolutely regrettable” and accusing the PP of being “racists” and “boycotting” essential policies for child protection. Despite the cancellation, the minister assured that the extension of the Royal Decree will proceed and will be submitted “imminently” to the Council of Ministers. Rego defended the reform as a “successful case,” highlighting the processing of some 1,700 files “without incidents” and an improvement in the balance of reception systems in territories such as Canarias, Ceuta, and Melilla.

The decree's update maintains the same procedure for distributing reception places among autonomous communities, based on indicators, with the main novelty being an adjustment in the number of places per territory to ensure the system's balance. The minister expressed her “deep indignation” at the PP’s “procedural blockade,” accusing them of “embracing racist theses and positions against the rights of children in our country.” Despite the absence, the communities “are considered informed,” and the Royal Decree will continue its course for another year, as stipulated in the reform of article 35 approved last year.