Piantedosi: EU migration pact works, fewer arrivals and more returns

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has strongly defended the government's migration policies, dismissing opposition criticism as unfounded and based on a lack of understanding.

"Confusion errors," Piantedosi called the critiques, accusing the center-left of creating a muddled narrative without factual basis. He asserted that the new EU Pact on Asylum and Migration is beneficial for Italy, countering claims that it will lead to an influx of asylum seekers. The minister pointed to agreements with Libya and Tunisia, which he said prevented over 275,000 migrant departures since 2023. Additionally, nearly 98,000 individuals have been repatriated through voluntary return programs in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and Algeria.

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Crollano gli sbarchi e raddoppiano i rimpatri perché abbiamo sottoscritto importanti accordi con i principali paesi di origine e di transito dei flussi.

Piantedosi emphasized that these figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the government's policies. He also addressed the suspension of Schengen rules at the border with Spain, noting that other governments have taken similar measures without facing the same level of backlash. The minister highlighted that Italy has actively prevented the return of 80,000 asylum seekers under the long-standing Dublin regulation, a stark contrast to the inaction of previous administrations. Data from June 12 shows approximately fifty requests from other member states, with only three asylum seekers having arrived in Italy.

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le richieste avanzate da altri Stati membri sono state una cinquantina e sono appena tre i dublinanti che ci risultano giunti in Italia.