Italy and Finland urge to suspend the free movement of people with Spain

BarcelonaThe proposals of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, have once again caused a rift in the European Union. Her government is studying the exclusion of Spain from the Schengen agreement, which allows for the free movement of people. She proposes this as one of the "extraordinary measures" necessary due to the arrival of approximately 49,000 migrants from Morocco through Ceuta. "Uncontrolled illegal immigration represents a real threat to the security of European borders," she wrote on her social networks Thursday evening, warning that her executive "will not stand idly by."

After meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, the Italian leader implied that the process is already underway: "the relevant bodies are being convened and, after these meetings, we are prepared to intervene, even with extraordinary measures to protect our borders and guarantee the security of our citizens, such as the suspension of the Schengen area with Spain," she wrote. The Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, went even further and directly linked the influx of immigrants at the Moroccan border to the immigrant regularization process promoted by Moncloa. In his opinion, "it is profoundly erroneous and encourages human trafficking."

The words of the Italian executive have generated unease in the Spanish government. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has summoned the Italian ambassador in Madrid, Giuseppe Buccino Grumaldi, to reprimand him. "This message is unbecoming of the Foreign Minister of a partner and friendly country from which we expect European solidarity and not partisan demagoguery," Albares wrote on X.

However, the message has resonated in Europe. Hours later, Finland also supported Italy's proposal to exclude Spain from the Schengen area. This was confirmed by its Minister of the Interior, Mari Rantanen, after the massive entry of migrants from Morocco. "Spain has completely failed in protecting the external border of the Schengen area against irregular migration. This cannot continue. All European countries must support Meloni's proposal. Countries that do not fulfill their obligation to protect the external border cannot be members of Schengen," she wrote on X.

France reinforces the border

For its part, the French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, stated this Friday that the country will strengthen controls at the border with Spain. "Given the situation observed in the enclave of Ceuta, since last night I have given instructions to immediately reinforce controls at the Spanish border. Furthermore, I have activated the Rapid Intervention Border Force to carry out exhaustive controls," Nuñez wrote on his X account. He also assured that he is in contact with the Spanish government for crisis management, and that he plans to speak with them again today.

In turn, the Netherlands has urged Moncloa to do "whatever it takes" to protect the European Union's borders; while the German executive has assured that it supports "the Spanish intention not to allow illegal migrants into the European continent". "Morocco must immediately implement the return ordinance," assured Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Even the European Union, which outwardly continues to close ranks with Spain, has hardened its tone with Pedro Sánchez. In a message on social media, the President of the European Commission showed a tough stance and described the images arriving from Ceuta as "unacceptable". Ursula von der Leyen has urged Moncloa to return immigrants with speed "as our rules allow". It is worth noting that this Thursday Brussels sent financial, technical, and operational support through the Frontex agency and sent a message of "solidarity" with Spain.