Musk’s Comments Spark Presidential Response
Italian President Sergio Mattarella has firmly responded to Elon Musk’s interference in Italy’s political affairs. The tech billionaire criticized an Italian court’s recent ruling that blocked the transfer of migrants to detention centers in Albania, as part of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s controversial immigration initiative. Musk’s remarks came via posts on X, where he expressed disdain for the judges’ decisions and questioned the state of democracy in Italy.
President’s Message on Sovereignty
In his statement, Mattarella emphasized that Italy is capable of managing its own affairs and adhering to its Constitution without outside influence. Although he did not mention Musk by name, his remarks were a clear rebuff to the billionaire’s comments. Mattarella stated, “Anyone, especially if they are about to assume an important government position in an allied country, must respect our sovereignty and refrain from dictating policy.”
Mixed Reactions from Italian Officials
While Meloni has not directly addressed Musk’s social media posts, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who belongs to the anti-immigration Brothers of Italy party, sided with Musk. Salvini took to X to declare Musk’s viewpoint as “right,” further igniting discussions surrounding the contentious immigration policy. This division among officials highlights Italy’s ongoing political tensions regarding migration.
Court Ruling Halts Immigration Scheme
The controversy intensified as a court in Rome recently returned seven migrants to Italy, rejecting a formal request to detain them in Albania. These migrants were initially sent to Albania under a five-year agreement between Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, allowing Italy to operate processing centers in Albania for assessing asylum eligibility. However, the Rome court cited the EU Court of Justice’s previous rulings regarding the safety of “country of origin” designations, complicating Italy’s repatriation efforts.
Ongoing Legal Challenges Ahead
The court’s ruling presents a significant obstacle for Meloni’s immigration policy, which she had previously championed as a means to control irregular migration entering Italy. Italy’s designation of Egypt and Bangladesh as “safe countries” now faces scrutiny, and an official from the EU Court of Justice indicated that it may take weeks or months to clarify whether Italy can legally continue repatriating migrants to those nations. The Brothers of Italy party expressed strong criticism of the court’s decision, with Salvini accusing judges of jeopardizing both public safety and financial resources.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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