After the flow decree and the tightening of NGOs, the Government is focusing on repatriations and harsh penalties for smugglers

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After the tragedy of Cutro, the Government returns to the migrant dossier. And it does so after the flow decree, and the tightening promoted on NGO ships. At present we are thinking about a measure that will involve several ministries under the direction of Prime Minister Meloni, starting with a new redetermination of the regular flows of migrants, thanks to cooperation agreements with the countries of origin which must combat irregular departures. Among the new measures on which the executive is discussing also the tightening of penalties for human traffickers and new procedures to simplify mechanisms that are still too slow: from repatriations to the reception system, passing through the institution of international protection.

Towards the Council of Ministers in Cutro

In view of the Council of Ministers in Cutro, announced by Prime Minister Meloni at the end of the mission in Abu Dhabi and which should be held no later than Friday 10 March, the new plan is taking shape. A further move after that of the Dpcm of the end of last December on flows, which set a maximum quota of entries equal to 82,705 foreigners, of which 44,000 for seasonal work reasons, after that of the NGO decree. Now being studied could be more severe penalties for smugglers and the idea of ​​setting a possible annual quota for the entry of 100,000 regular foreigners, who are then placed on the basis of the needs of the labor market in the various sectors.

Piantedosi’s information in parliament

Already on March 7, however, the owner of the Viminale Matteo Piantedosi will once again address the immigration issue by returning to the Cutro affair with an urgent government briefing in the Montecitorio hall to reconstruct the dynamics of the intervention of the Guardia di Finanza and the role of the Coast Guard after Frontex had sighted the boats in the Ionian “but without launching any alarm”, as Meloni recalled.

Comparison with Europe

However, the close collaboration with the EU and the requests that will arrive in Brussels on 9 March, in view of the meeting of the European Council of Interior Ministers, remain in the background.

The Med5 summit

Already on the occasion of the summit of the Med5 countries, which includes Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Spain, a clear document was produced and signed by the five member states: counter irregular boat departures, strengthen repatriations, increase with Frontex the surveillance of the borders and – to the States that suffer greater migratory pressures – to have the border procedures decided autonomously. Therefore a decisive contrast to irregular immigration and departures from the countries of origin which takes place through a strengthening of bilateral relations and a strengthening of repatriations.