Italy’s political landscape is currently marked by significant divisions between the ruling majority and opposition parties over the EU’s pact on migration and asylum. Since taking office as Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has been focused on tackling illegal migration, a challenge that has been exacerbated by a rise in arrivals from North Africa during her tenure. However, she has claimed credit for influencing Europe’s approach to migration through her party’s efforts. Data from the first three months of 2024 indicates a significant decrease in arrivals compared to the previous year, thanks in part to Italy’s support of the EU’s deal with Tunisia, which has led to a nearly 60% drop in departures. The government’s push towards outsourcing asylum policies, such as the agreement with Albania, has sparked further divisions within the Italian parliament.
Meloni’s efforts to address illegal migration have been a key focus of her political agenda, and she has faced challenges in delivering on this promise amidst increasing arrivals from North Africa. However, the decrease in arrivals seen in 2024 is seen as a positive sign of progress, attributed at least in part to Italy’s support of the EU-Tunisia deal. This success has been touted as a significant achievement for the government, which has also advocated for outsourcing asylum policies to other countries, such as the protocol with Albania. These initiatives have sparked debates and divisions within the Italian parliament, with varying levels of support among Member States.
The recent adoption of the EU’s pact on migration and asylum has heightened divisions between Italy’s ruling majority and opposition parties, particularly in relation to the government’s approach to addressing illegal migration. Meloni’s leadership has been tested by the rise in arrivals from North Africa during her tenure, but she has sought to leverage this challenge as an opportunity to influence Europe’s migration policies. The decrease in arrivals in 2024 has been heralded as a positive result, with the government attributing this progress to its support of the EU-Tunisia deal and other outsourcing agreements. However, these efforts have sparked disagreement within the Italian parliament, with differing opinions on the best way to manage asylum policies.
In the midst of these divisions, Italy’s government has continued to champion its efforts to curb illegal migration and reform asylum policies. The decrease in arrivals in 2024 has been a significant development, signaling progress towards these goals and highlighting the impact of the government’s support of the EU-Tunisia deal. The outsourcing of asylum policies, such as the agreement with Albania, has been a point of contention within the Italian parliament, with differing levels of support among Member States. However, these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges of migration and asylum, despite the ongoing tensions between political parties in Italy.
Meloni’s leadership as Prime Minister has been defined by her efforts to address illegal migration and influence Europe’s approach to migration policies. The decrease in arrivals in 2024 has been a key achievement for the government, which has attributed this progress to its support of the EU-Tunisia deal and other agreements. The outsourcing of asylum policies, such as the protocol with Albania, has been met with mixed reactions within the Italian parliament, reflecting the ongoing divisions between ruling and opposition parties. Despite these challenges, Italy’s government remains committed to tackling illegal migration and reforming asylum policies, with a focus on collaboration with other Member States to address these complex issues.
