Italy-Spain Dispute Exposes the Paradox of Two Immigration Countries

Italy’s decision to extend the suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain for another 15 days risks turning a migration dispute into a broader European problem, columnist Massimo Franco writes. The immediate issue is the arrival of Moroccans in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, but the political consequences could reach far beyond the enclave.

The tension reflects the strained relationship between the socialist government of Pedro Sánchez and the right-wing government of Giorgia Meloni. Madrid has also taken positions that differ from much of the European Union, including its relations with China, its refusal to allow U.S. aircraft bound for Iran to use Spanish military bases, and its accusations against Israel over Gaza. Franco presents these issues as part of a broader, unsettled backdrop to the dispute.

Italy’s government defends the suspension on security grounds and says it should end soon. The decision nevertheless risks leaving bilateral relations damaged. It also raises suspicions that Rome wanted to put pressure on Sánchez, assist Spain’s People’s Party and benefit the far-right Vox party. Another possible political calculation, Franco argues, was to head off attacks from Matteo Salvini and Roberto Vannacci, who accuse Meloni of giving way on migration.

The lack of a strong opposition backlash in Italy points to the political sensitivity of the issue. Parties remain cautious because they fear paying an electoral price, even when their ideological sympathies lie closer to Sánchez’s government. The dispute therefore exposes the dilemma of a Mediterranean country that has long received migrants while now highlighting a problem involving Spanish territory.

Franco warns that the move could produce a domino effect. Northern European states might send irregular migrants back to Italy, opening a dispute with Rome, while Spain could respond with checks on Italians. In his view, the episode is especially troubling for an EU already facing nationalist pressure, including enthusiasm among sovereigntist forces over Iceland’s rejection of EU accession negotiations.