The regional government of Murcia has decided to scrap the program for teaching Arabic language and Moroccan culture in schools starting this academic year. The move, the result of six months of budget negotiations between the People'sParty (PP) and the far-right Vox party, will affect some 350 students who had been benefiting from the initiative. The Arabic Language and Moroccan Culture Teaching Program (PLACM), coordinated by Spain's Ministry of Education and the Moroccan embassy, had been one of the main sticking points in the talks. With its cancellation, Murcia follows the example of Madrid, which previously took a similar step. Vox's regional leader, José Ángel Antelo, welcomed the measure, insisting that foreigners should «adapt to the customs and education of the host country». By contrast, members of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's socialist executive accused the PP of bowing to far-right pressure and advancing Vox's agenda. The Minister of Inclusion and Migration, Elma Saíz, denounced the decision, accusing the two parties of «stirring up the atmosphere» and undermining coexistence in the region. Pointing to incidents in Torre Pacheco and Jumilla earlier this summer, she argued that the agreement fuels «discrimination and tensions» among citizens. «At first, they were against freedom of worship. Now, they are against the language», she wrote on social media, in reference to Jumilla's decision to ban Muslim celebrations in public spaces.
