Migration: Italien und Spanien verlängern gegenseitige Grenzkontrollen

Italy and Spain have announced the extension of reciprocal border checks between the two EU countries for another 15 days. Italy had initially extended the measure by 15 days due to the dispute over managing migrants. Spain quickly followed suit after receiving the notification from Italy regarding the extension of controls at air and sea borders.

The measure was implemented by Italy's right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, shortly after receiving a large number of migrants in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. Spain announced the continuation of border checks for Italian travelers on September 7th, the same day the Italian border controls were extended.

This leaves at least until September 22nd for the Spanish checks to remain in effect. Critics have accused Meloni of "symbolic politics." The Italian interior ministry maintained that the "assessment basis for reintroducing the controls" still exists. They argued that their borders needed to be protected due to the influx of migrants in Ceuta.

However, there is no evidence suggesting any migrants from Ceuta had made their way to Italy. They were not even allowed to reach Spanish mainland. Critics view Meloni's move as politically motivated symbolic politics. The new right-wing party Futuro Nazionale is putting pressure on Meloni's government.