Italian Government Defends New EU Migration Pact Amid Rising Transfer Requests

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has dismissed concerns regarding the return of migrants to Italy under the Dublin system, stating that only three people have actually returned to Italy out of approximately 50 requests. This statement comes as several Northern European countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Finland, and most recently the Netherlands, have announced they will resume transfers of migrants back to Italy. According to Eurostat estimates, Italy was the top EU country for Dublin system requests in 2025, with 24,152 requests received, though these figures represent requests rather than completed transfers.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Minister Piantedosi argue that the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact protects Italy by introducing mandatory solidarity mechanisms, such as relocation and compensation, to support countries of first entry. They maintain that the pact shifts the burden of migration pressure away from just the first point of entry. Conversely, opposition leaders, including Elly Schlein, have characterized the situation as a boomerang effect and a failure of government management.

On separate migration fronts, the Italian government is moving forward with the construction of Repatriation Centers (CPR) in Tuscany, specifically in the Aulla area, despite opposition from the regional government led by President Eugenio Giani. Additionally, Minister Piantedosi clarified that the temporary reintroduction of border controls with Spain was a response to security threats in Ceuta and is unrelated to the issue of Dublin transfers. Meanwhile, a broader European trend is emerging toward managing migration in third countries, with several nations discussing the creation of return hubs in Uganda.