The Italian government's third attempt to intern migrants at camps situated on Albanian soil has once again been thwarted, following another court ruling. This time, 43 migrants who had been detained after attempting to cross the Mediterranean will be allowed to enter Italy. The ruling reflects continued pushback against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's controversial migration policies.
According to reports from the DPA, the recent order by Rome’s judiciary mandates the return of the migrants, primarily from Egypt and Bangladesh, to the port city of Bari, after they had briefly been housed at camps built for them across the Adriatic Sea. This development marks the third legal defeat for Meloni’s administration, raising questions about the long-term viability of her migration strategy.
Initially, the Italian government built two facilities in Albania aimed at processing the asylum requests of irregular migrants arriving by sea. These camps, part of what the administration described as the “Albania model,” were developed with the expressed intention of expediting the repatriation of migrants whose claims were likely to be denied. The government, led by the right-wing Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, sought to alleviate the strain of increased arrivals, as Italy has been particularly impacted by Mediterranean migration flows—3368 arrivals were recorded just last January alone.
Meloni’s plan, which she insisted upon after facing backlash, involves considering migrants from certain countries as safe to send back, yet judiciary rulings have continuously called this strategy's legality and practicality under question. Judges have emphasized the illegality of determining asylum claims outside the EU, echoing sentiments from previous court decisions issued since late 2023.
After the latest court ruling on February 1, 2025, Nicolas Fratoianni, from the Green-Left Alliance party, commented, “Yet another deportation of migrants to Albania has come to nothing.” This statement reflects the growing discontent among opposition lawmakers concerning Meloni's handling of the migration crisis. Elly Schlein, the leader of the Democratic Party, even urged Meloni to resign, condemning the initiative as financially wasteful, estimating its costs to exceed €1 billion.
The recent setback signifies the court's position, which has mandated the immediate transfer of those 43 men back to Italy, effectively nullifying the government’s push to have them processed abroad. The decision was grounded on concerns about the classification of migrants' home countries as safe, with judges expressing doubts over whether Albania itself can be deemed safe for the housing of asylum-seekers.
Adding to the complexity, the Italian judiciary has cited recent rulings from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) which stipulate nations cannot label parts of countries as unsafe without jeopardizing their overall classification as safe. The ECJ is now scheduled to review Italy's arrangement about the Albania camps, with discussions set for later this month, increasing pressure on Meloni and her government to adjust their approach.
The Albanian migrant camps, thought to be filled with detainees, have largely remained empty since the last transfer due to judicial rulings preventing the continuation of the policy. Detractors within Italy’s political sphere have characterized the construction of these facilities as symbolic of government overreach, deviated from addressing the humanitarian crises stemming from mass migrations.
Despite this legal beating, Meloni has indicated intent to adhere to her strategy, stating, “I will stick to the plan,” without specifying how her government would cope with the judicial constraints. Taking actions to cut down the number of designated safe countries from 22 to 19, the government believes it is playing by the rules of the European policies surrounding migration, yet critics suggest the rapid alterations are more of a political maneuvering than genuine reform.
Opposition leaders have voiced their concerns about the negative ramifications of Meloni’s hardline approach. Critics also allege the government is exploiting economic disparities to devise potentially exploitative solutions for migrants seeking protection. The controversy presents heightened scrutiny over not only the financial consequences but also the moral culpability of the Italian government as it engages with the Albanian authorities.
With the ECJ's upcoming hearings anticipated to yield significant ramifications for the Meloni administration, the future of Italy's handling of migrants remains precarious. The outcome may lead to not only shifts within governmental strategies but also reflections on broader EU policies, as many countries closely observe the Italian experiment with offshore detention.
The precariousness of the situation stands as Italy grapples with swift decisions about stranded migrants and balancing domestic political pressures. The latest court ruling, coupled with the evident oppositional unity against the prime minister's initiatives, sends ripples through the corridors of power as both sides brace for the forthcoming ECJ ruling set for February 25, 2025, which could redefine how EU nations interpret and implement asylum processing models.