Italy and Finland urge to suspend the free movement of people and goods 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 the free movement of goods and merchandise. She proposes it as one of the "extraordinary measures" necessary following the arrival of some 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 on Thursday evening, warning that her executive "will not stand idly by."

After meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, the Italian leader hinted 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 ensure 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 flood of immigrants at the border with Morocco to the regularization of immigrants process promoted by Moncloa. In his opinion, "it is profoundly wrong 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 to Madrid, Giuseppe Buccino Grumaldi, to reprimand him. "This message is improper for the Foreign Minister of a friendly and allied 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 the Finnish 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 reinforce controls at the border with Spain. "Given the situation observed in the enclave of Ceuta, since last night I have given instructions to reinforce controls at the Spanish border without delay. Furthermore, I have activated the Rapid Intervention Border Force to carry out exhaustive checks," 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 hardened its tone with Madrid and has urged Moncloa to do "whatever it takes" to protect the borders of the European Union.

The official stance of the European institutions, however, remains firm. Brussels has closed ranks with Spain and recalled that the border of Ceuta is an external border of the entire European Union. In fact, the Commission has offered financial, technical, and operational support through the Frontex agency and has sent a message of "solidarity" to Spain, while emphasizing the need to protect common external borders.