Piantedosi: 'EU Should Be More Rigorous With Members Making Ideological Choices'

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has defended Italy's decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement with Spain, asserting that the move is rooted in national security and not political speculation. Speaking before the Schengen Commission, Piantedosi clarified that the government's sole objective is safeguarding national security and that the situation is being closely monitored. The suspension, initially announced by the government, will not be reviewed before August 15 and will only be lifted once security risks to Italy are entirely eliminated.

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The case of Ceuta is not a "political speculation against Spain. This is not the logic that moves this government, whose sole objective is the protection of national security. This is why we are carefully monitoring the evolution of the situation and, as already announced by the government, the decision to suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement will not be revised before August 15, and in any case only after security risks for Italy are completely excluded.

Piantedosi argued that Italy's action is fully compliant with European law, pointing out that other European states have also implemented similar border control measures, even against Italy itself. He expressed surprise that such actions by other countries did not elicit the same level of scrutiny or protest as Italy's decision. "I am not aware that in those circumstances, any concerns or requests for further investigation were expressed," he stated, contrasting this with the reactions to Italy's measures.

The minister emphasized that Italy's suspension is based on solid, objective grounds and effective control activities. He contrasted this with Spain's decision, which, according to Piantedosi, was admitted to be based on a "retaliatory logic." He further noted that Germany has systematically extended controls to all neighboring countries since 2025, following a series of partial border closures. Piantedosi reminded the commission that temporary reinstatement of internal border controls has been invoked hundreds of times by European countries over the years.

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what the government has chosen to do is fully within European law. Others have done it and continue to do it in other European states, even towards Italy. I am not aware that in those circumstances, any concerns or requests for further investigation were expressed.

He cited Spain's own use of the measure 19 times since 2009, as well as similar actions by other countries toward Italy or its partners. France, Austria, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Norway are currently employing such measures. Piantedosi found France's case particularly emblematic, as it has maintained closed borders with Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain since 2015. "Therefore, it is surprising that, in the face of this generalized and now de facto permanent measure, there have not been the same reactions that have developed in Italy, and against Italy, for a decision that is proportionate both in its implementation and in its limited duration of one month," he concluded.

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while Italy's initiative is based on solid objective grounds and control activity, the suspension operated by the Madrid authorities towards us corresponds, by their own admission, to a substantially retaliatory logic.

Piantedosi also reported that since the reinstatement of border controls with Spain, Italy has made three arrests and turned away 21 third-country nationals deemed illegal, including six Moroccans. He added that, as of the first seven months of the year, arrivals in Italy have decreased by 55% compared to the previous year.

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it is emblematic the case of France which, since 2015, that is for 11 years, has kept borders closed with Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and with Spain itself.