Italy’s Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government regarding the classification of safe countries of origin for migrants. The decision grants the government greater authority in handling migration policies, marking a significant development in Italy's ongoing debates over immigration.
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| Meloni and Rama with their respective teams while inspecting the works in Gjadër, June 4, 2024 |
The ruling emphasizes that while judges will continue to assess individual cases to ensure the fundamental right to personal freedom, ultimate decisions about overarching migration policies rest with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant government bodies.
This verdict comes after the government appealed initial refusals by the Immigration Section of the Rome Court to allow the retention of migrants in Albania under the controversial agreement. The Supreme Court has also accepted the Prosecutor General’s request to suspend all prior measures, pending a final decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
A Victory for Meloni Amid Opposition Criticism
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had previously predicted this favorable outcome and remained steadfast in her stance despite strong criticism from domestic opposition and challenges posed by the European Court of Justice. Meloni refused to abandon the agreement, asserting its necessity for Italy’s migration management strategy.
Current Situation in Albania’s Reception Centers
At present, the two reception centers in Gjadër, Albania, remain unoccupied, awaiting judicial clarity. The centers had been designated to house migrants under the Italy-Albania agreement, which sparked controversy over the legality and ethics of outsourcing migrant processing.
Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court's decision solidifies the government’s authority to designate safe countries and strengthens its ability to implement migration agreements. However, it also highlights ongoing tensions between national and European legal frameworks, with the pending CJEU ruling expected to further clarify the situation.
This development underscores the Meloni government’s commitment to its migration policies, while intensifying debates over their legality and human rights implications, both within Italy and across the European Union.