Calenda: Government erred on Schengen, real issue is Putin

Carlo Calenda, leader of the Italian political party Azione, has sharply criticized the government's recent actions regarding the Schengen Area, labeling it an "idiotic" and self-defeating move. Calenda argues that Italy's decision to close Schengen to Spain, in an apparent attempt to compete with the far-right politician Vannacci, has opened a "Pandora's box" and initiated a "race to be tougher" on immigration among European nations.

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The migrants? A false problem. Time is wasted discussing five immigrants instead of understanding what to do if Putin attacks Europe.

"The Italian government has made a totally idiotic move," Calenda stated. "It has closed Schengen to Spain. And a Pandora's box has opened, since it has lived for years sending everyone who arrived to the EU. We have triggered a race to see who is tougher." He pointed to Germany's desire to reject "Dublinants" as an example of this escalating competition, asserting that the Italian government has "suicided itself" and is now struggling to find a way out.

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Italy, to compete with Vannacci, has made a totally idiotic move. It has closed Schengen to Spain. And a Pandora's box has opened, since it has lived for years sending everyone who arrived to the EU. We have triggered a race to see who is tougher.

However, Calenda believes the focus on immigration distracts from a more pressing threat: Russia's potential aggression towards Europe. He cited a US intelligence source suggesting an imminent attack on Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, and a New York Times report on Russian efforts to subvert elections in Moldova. "The real problem is Putin," Calenda declared, emphasizing that Russia has built ten drone launch sites on Europe's eastern borders. He also referenced an incident where a Russian drone near a Ukrainian cargo plane in Leipzig failed to detonate due to a defect, suggesting a near-miss for an attack on European soil.

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The Italian government has suicided itself and now does not know how to get out of it. But the emergency is another.

Calenda expressed concern that Italy is isolated in its focus on migration, while the international press discusses the Russian threat. He called for a clear communication from the Italian government, possibly through an extraordinary parliamentary session or a statement from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to clarify the concrete risk of a Russian attack. "The EU had committed nine months ago to setting up an anti-drone barrier against Russia. What stage is it at?" he questioned, highlighting a perceived lack of action on this front.

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That Russia, in the meantime, has built ten drone launch ramps on the eastern borders of Europe.