Italy’s right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has implemented aggressive measures to curb irregular migration, positioning itself as a model for other EU nations.
While arrivals of undocumented migrants decreased significantly in 2024, these policies have faced legal and humanitarian challenges.
A key initiative involved offshoring asylum processing to Albania under a 2023 bilateral agreement. The plan aimed to handle claims for non-vulnerable male asylum seekers outside Italy, facilitating deportations. However, implementation was delayed, and legal challenges arose as Italian courts questioned the unilateral designation of “safe” countries like Bangladesh and Egypt. Initial attempts to transfer migrants to Albania ended with their swift return to Italy, highlighting significant hurdles.
Government data shows a 60% drop in Mediterranean arrivals compared to 2023, with 65,472 migrants arriving in 2024 versus 153,677 the previous year. Authorities attribute this to agreements with North African nations and restrictive laws, including the 2024 “flows decree,” which imposed strict penalties on humanitarian rescue operations. NGOs argue these measures criminalize life-saving efforts and endanger migrants.
Italy expanded partnerships with Libya and Tunisia, funding coast guards and infrastructure projects to deter migration. Despite allegations of human rights abuses in Tunisia, Italy maintained its financial commitments. The broader “Mattei Plan for Africa” included €5.5 billion in development aid, aiming to reduce migration while enhancing Italy’s influence in the region.
Despite controversies, Meloni’s government continues to promote its approach as a solution for managing migration across Europe.
