Le gouvernement reprochera aux partenaires de l'UE leur attitude "égoïste" lors de la réunion sur la crise de Ceuta

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain, triggering a diplomatic crisis within the European Union. The move follows a surge in irregular migration through Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast, which saw thousands of migrants attempt to cross into Europe last week. At least 88 people died during the chaotic influx, according to local authorities. The proposal has sparked tensions among EU member states, with Spain condemning the decision as selfish and unsupportive, while Italy and other nations have backed the suspension of border controls between the two countries. The situation escalated after Italy announced a one-month suspension of its Schengen agreement with Spain, allowing it to reintroduce border checks for travelers coming from Spain. This measure was later supported by several other EU governments, including Finland, though none formally adopted it. The Italian government, led by Meloni's right-wing coalition, accused Spain of policies that could attract more migrants, particularly referencing Spain’s regularization program for undocumented immigrants under the administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Spain responded sharply to the move, with President Sánchez personally addressing concerns to key European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council of Europe President Antonio Costa, and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. In his letter, Sánchez expressed serious concern over the lack of support from some EU partners and criticized their actions as selfish and illegal, attributing them to prejudice, misinformation, ignorance, or political interest. He called for an emergency meeting of interior ministers from all 27 EU countries to address such situations collectively and reaffirm shared responsibility for external border security. The meeting, requested jointly by Spain and the 22 EU members who signed a critical letter initiated by Meloni, will take place this Tuesday via videoconference. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is expected to highlight what he describes as the "selfish and unsolidary" behavior of certain EU partners, particularly Italy, in response to the Ceuta crisis. According to internal sources, Spain has noted a reduction in irregular migrant arrivals at its borders over the past two years, suggesting that the current situation is an anomaly rather than a systemic issue. The crisis has exposed deep ideological divisions within the EU. Italy’s far-right government faces competition from even more extreme factions, while Finland’s government, led by the ultra-conservative Finns Party, has shown hostility toward Spain. Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen has been particularly vocal in her criticism of Spain, contrasting with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, whose center-right party sought to ease tensions by emphasizing that Spain is not alone in facing the crisis. Meloni’s decision to reinstate border controls for travelers from Spain and the subsequent backing she received from other EU governments have provoked outrage in Madrid. The Spanish government views the move as an attack on its sovereignty and a failure of solidarity within the union. Sánchez’s direct communication with top European officials underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a unified response to prevent similar crises in the future. The upcoming meeting of interior ministers aims to address the immediate consequences of the Ceuta incident and establish a framework for handling such situations collaboratively. However, the underlying issues, such as differing approaches to migration management and the role of national versus collective responsibility, remain unresolved. As the discussion unfolds, the responses of individual member states will shape the trajectory of the debate and potentially influence future EU-wide policies on migration and border control.