Giorgia Meloni’s government isn’t waiting around for the European Court of Justice to weigh in on its offshore migrant reception centers. Instead, it’s fast-tracking a new decree to sidestep judicial interference and revise the Albania protocol.
Leaked details suggest the centers will now function solely as repatriation hubs, housing only migrants already slated for deportation. Meanwhile, the initial plan—preventing migrants from vanishing into Italy and the broader Schengen zone—will take a different turn.
The government is set to roll out electronic bracelets for all illegal migrants arriving in Italy, allowing authorities to track them. Reports indicate that Italy had already ordered 100,000 of these devices last summer.
Under the revised approach, migrants will remain in Italy until deportation orders are issued, at which point they’ll be sent to Albania—eliminating judicial roadblocks that previously invalidated detentions.
This move follows repeated court rulings blocking the Albania protocol, with left-leaning judges arguing that certain migrants couldn’t be sent back to Egypt and Bangladesh over concerns for LGBT rights—even though none had identified as LGBT.
Meanwhile, the European Court of Justice is set to release a preliminary opinion later this month, with a final ruling expected in July. The outcome carries weight since Italian judges have been citing EU law to justify their interventions, despite support from the European Commission for similar policies across the bloc.
Italy’s EU Affairs Minister Tommaso Foti dismissed leftist claims that the policy contradicts European norms, insisting that multiple EU nations back Italy’s stance. Undersecretary Augusta Montaruli reinforced this, emphasizing that the protocol will move forward regardless of opposition.
“This agreement is setting a precedent in Europe, with member states aligning with Italy’s position, including Ursula von der Leyen’s support at the last EU Council meeting,” Montaruli stated. “We won’t back down. The era of madness is over.”
At its core, the issue highlights a power struggle between Italy’s elected leaders and its judiciary. If EU judges side with their Italian counterparts against the political leadership, it could escalate tensions to Brussels, shaping Europe’s migration policy debate for years.
