Las Ciudades autónomas de Ceuta y Melilla ante las crisis financiera y sanitaria

Abstract

The Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla share a series of territorial, legal, economic and demographic characteristics, including a border with Morocco and a more limited form of autonomous government than the regions in areas such as education, health and employment, in which the Spanish state retains competence. Research on the social realities of life in Ceuta and Melilla is quite limited, as the cities are frequently overlooked in studies that deal with the autonomous regions or treated as a single unit. This article examines the social situation in both cities and the actions and decisions of the different administrations in each case. The study is divided into two sections: the first deals with the 2008 financial crisis, while the second focuses on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The methodology combines statistical analysis of social indicators with the opinions of professionals, collected through interviews and focus groups. The results reveal significant differences between the cities, including different levels of social spending during both periods of crisis. The results also show an increased level of social risk in both instances as a consequence of the recent global health emergency.