Italy threatens to suspend Spain from Schengen over migrant influx

Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has threatened to suspend Spain from the Schengen Area in response to a large-scale arrival of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Hundreds of migrants reportedly crossed illegally from Morocco into Ceuta on Thursday, overwhelming border security.

“

Italy will not stand idly by.

Meloni decried the "shocking images" emerging from Ceuta, stating, "Italy will not stand idly by." She announced that Italy is convening relevant bodies and is prepared to take "exceptional measures," including the potential suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. This strong stance reflects Italy's increasingly firm position on migration control.

“

We are convening the competent bodies and, following these meetings, we are ready to act, including through exceptional measures such as the suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani supported the idea of closing Schengen borders with Spain. He linked the situation in Ceuta to Madrid's decision to grant Spanish, and thus European, citizenship to over 500,000 irregular immigrants, which he claimed encourages human trafficking. Tajani's comments align with Meloni's critical view of Spain's immigration policies.

“

The images arriving from Ceuta demonstrate how the Madrid government's decision to grant Spanish, and therefore European, citizenship to more than 500,000 irregular immigrants encourages human trafficking.

Matteo Salvini, another Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the far-right League party, also called for the suspension of Schengen and the defense of Europe's borders via the social media platform X. The coordinated statements from Italy's top leadership signal a significant diplomatic challenge and underscore the deep divisions within the European Union regarding migration management and border security.

“

Suspend Schengen and defend the borders of Europe.