Italy’s Migrant Deal with Albania Faces Fresh Legal Blow
In a dramatic setback for Italy’s controversial Italian Migration Plan, Roman judges have ordered the immediate return of seven migrants from Albania. This is the second major blow to Prime Minister Meloni’s ambitious offshore processing strategy. The court’s decision has reignited a fierce debate over Italy’s approach to migration management.
Italian Migration Plan Exposes Deep Rifts in Policy
The core of the disagreement concerns migrants from Egypt and Bangladesh who were relocated to a newly established detention centre in Albania. The issue is whether these countries can be classified as “safe” under European Union law—a crucial distinction that could make or break Italy’s entire offshore processing strategy. The judges’ ruling hinges on a recent European Court of Justice decision requiring countries to be “safe in all regions and for all citizens” to qualify for expedited processing.
Power Struggle Erupts Between Courts and Government
The ruling has sparked a political firestorm, with tensions reaching boiling point between Italy’s judiciary and government. Judge Silvia Albano, who faced death threats following an earlier migration ruling, finds herself at the centre of a heated national debate. Deputy Prime Minister Salvini has fired back, labelling the decision “political” and claiming it undermines national security.
Meanwhile, in a more measured response, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has called for cooler heads to prevail and advocated increased dialogue between the courts and government. The controversy shows no signs of cooling as Italy awaits a crucial December ruling from the Court of Cassation that could determine the fate of its Italian Migration Plan.
