Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sparked division after she appealed for the suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Spain.
Referring to the images and footage documenting the mass migration to the Spanish enclave Ceuta, Meloni described the situation as shocking.
“Italy will not stand idly by,” Meloni said.
Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, made a similar appeal, stating that he is in favor of closing the Schengen Area with Spain.
The developments in Ceuta have also fueled anti-migration rhetoric in Italy, where far-right figures have used the situation to reinforce calls for stricter border controls and tighter migration policies.
The debate comes as the Italian government is already under heightened scrutiny over its handling of policing and migration issues, particularly following the July 19 death of a Moroccan man after he was fatally restrained by two Italian police officers.
The incident sparked widespread criticism from human rights advocates and renewed concerns over police conduct, adding another layer of controversy as migration once again dominates political discourse.
Face down and pleading for help, Abderrahim Fakir suffocated, but an autopsy is ongoing to determine the real cause of death, despite initial reports stating the victim had blood in his lungs, which explains the pressure and violent handling he endured during his arrest.
Italian government officials have been defending the two police officers, but Fakir’s family lawyer is determined to bring justice to light.
