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▲ Border Controls Tightened After Ceuta Incident…Italy Takes Decisive Action

Following the mass entry of Moroccan migrants into Spain's Ceuta, the Italian government immediately implemented stricter border movement restrictions and enhanced checkpoints.

The Italian government held meetings with relevant agencies while mentioning the possibility of restricting the application of the Schengen Agreement to Spain, and announced measures to strengthen border controls with Spain immediately after the meetings concluded.

The government also strengthened inspection at land borders with France, taking measures to block indirect possibilities of migrant inflows.

▲ Emphasizing Achievements in Migrant Reduction…Direct Confrontation with Spain

Italy actively highlighted the achievements of its immigration policy alongside its tough response.

Italy's Interior Ministry announced that migrants entering the country by sea this year decreased by 55% compared to the same period last year, and decreased by approximately 82% compared to when the Giorgia Meloni government took office.

This was largely intended to refute Spain's government criticism that Italy had insufficient response to the migrant issue.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani countered Spain's claims by emphasizing that the expansion of legal migration pathways and bilateral cooperation have produced results, citing the figures.

▲ Tough Response Despite Limited Direct Impact…Political Calculation Noted

Some analysts argue that Italy's response serves a greater political purpose than the actual security situation warrants.

Italy does not share a border with Spain, and Ceuta is located in North Africa, making the possibility of a large influx of migrants into Italy in the short term limited.

Nevertheless, the government's successive strong messages are interpreted as signals sent to domestic politics rather than border control itself.

▲ Rise of Far-Right Parties Concerns Meloni Government

Analysis suggests that competition within far-right circles also underlies the Meloni government's tough response.

The Meloni coalition faces increased political burden due to this year's failed judicial reform referendum and failed electoral system overhaul.

Additionally, the newly emerged far-right party "Italy's Future" has rapidly increased its support ratings, with some existing right-wing supporters shifting their allegiance.

Recent polls show "Italy's Future" surpassing the support rate of the "League," a core party in the coalition, increasing its presence.

▲ Competition for Immigration Policy Leadership…Strategic Move Ahead of General Elections

"Italy's Future" is emphasizing an even stronger hardline stance than the Meloni government, proposing so-called "remigration" policy that goes beyond migrant deportation to restore Europe's demographic composition to past levels.

Because of this, the Meloni government's rapid and forceful response to the Ceuta incident is interpreted as an effort not to lose leadership in immigration policy, a core agenda of the right wing.

The ruling party, Brothers of Italy, also strengthened the government's response by countering Spain's criticism as "unrealistic and hypocritical."

▲ Political Message Over Border Control…Immigration Emerges as Variable Ahead of General Elections

Experts analyzed that Italy's response goes beyond simple border management and has the character of a political strategy ahead of general elections.

The core is a symbolic measure intended to demonstrate strong immigration control willpower to voters rather than actual risk of migrant inflows.

Ultimately, the Ceuta incident has emerged as a variable that shakes not only Europe's immigration issues but also Italy's internal political landscape and far-right voter competition, and is expected to serve as a key issue in the upcoming general election process.