Meloni and Sánchez clash over EU migration crackdown
Italy's Giorgia Meloni challenged Spain's Pedro Sánchez during a closed-door EU summit over Madrid's decision to legalize some 500,000 asylum-seekers, with concerns about the impact on other member states.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni clashed with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during a closed-door meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday over Spain's decision to regularize around 500,000 asylum-seekers, according to three EU diplomats and one EU official.
Meloni questioned Sánchez's move, demanding a discussion on its potential consequences for other EU countries. Sánchez responded that other leaders should not be concerned because the migrants in question are largely from South America, not Africa, two diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Spanish government spokesperson confirmed that Sánchez defended his position during the summit, adding that Madrid is "more than happy" to engage in a migration debate. The spokesperson did not address the Africa comment. An Italian official downplayed the exchange, calling it "not a clash" but "a just discussion between leaders."
The disagreement follows the EU's approval of legislation allowing member states to establish deportation hubs in third countries to ensure rejected asylum-seekers leave the bloc. Some 19 of the 27 EU members signed a joint Danish-Italian letter calling for swift action on deportations. Spain opposes offshore deportation hubs, citing legal and humanitarian concerns, while Italy and Denmark view them as a key tool to deter irregular migration.
Thursday's exchange came after Sánchez argued that Spain's migration policy differs from many other EU governments and has been effective in reducing irregular arrivals from Africa. Official data shows a significant drop in irregular migrant arrivals to Spain in the first three months of this year. The dispute arose after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen praised European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for passing a draft law on Wednesday that facilitates the deportation of rejected asylum-seekers.
