rome
Reuters
—
President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday warned against interfering in Italian affairs after US billionaire Elon Musk said Rome judges should be sent away who are blocking the government’s anti-immigration policies. spoke.
The highly unusual statement by Italy’s head of state came against the backdrop of rising tensions between the ruling coalition and the judiciary, which have drawn the attention of Mr. Musk, a friend of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Musk told X magazine on Tuesday that he referred to a commission of magistrates in Rome that questioned the legality of the government’s efforts to detain asylum seekers in Albania, a measure aimed at deterring illegal immigration. “These judges need to step down,” he wrote.
The magistrate’s move means the small number of migrants who have just been brought to Albania will have to be taken to Italy, casting doubt on Mr Meloni’s flagship plan to crack down on illegal immigration.
Mr Musk’s comments were featured prominently on the front pages of Italian newspapers on Wednesday, just hours after US President-elect Donald Trump gave him a leadership role aimed at creating a more efficient government in the US. Announced before.
“Italy is a great democracy that… knows how to protect itself,” said Mattarella, who consistently tops opinion polls as Italy’s most respected leader.
“Anyone, especially as announced, who is about to assume an important role in government in a friendly ally, must respect that sovereignty and assign himself the task of directing that sovereignty. I can’t do that.”
In response, Mr Musk issued a statement through Italy’s representative, Andrea Stroppa, expressing his “respect” for Mr Mattarella and the Italian constitution, while reaffirming his intention to “continue to express his views freely”.
Musk said he conveyed the same message in a “friendly” phone conversation with Meloni, expressing hope for further strengthening of ties between Italy and the United States and looking forward to meeting Mattarella soon. He also said that he is doing so.
Meloni did not comment on the American entrepreneur’s comments on social media, but his deputy and far-right party leader Matteo Salvini welcomed the comments. “@elonmusk is right,” he said on Tuesday’s X.
The dispute revolves around a judgment handed down in October by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The ruling stated that the country of origin could not be considered safe if even a portion of it was dangerous, and this position called into question Italy’s policy of repatriation. Visa-free immigration to your home country.
The ECJ ruling refers to the Czech case, but also applies to the European Union as a whole, with Meloni’s government building a detention center in Albania tasked with processing migrants picked up at sea trying to reach Italy. landed from.
Although the Center aims to expedite repatriations, the Rome court said this should not happen until the ECJ provides further clarification.
As a result, two small groups of migrants taken to Albania in the past three weeks were almost immediately deported to Italy, leaving the plan in a legal limbo.
Italy’s highest court is expected to review the legality of the Rome court’s move in early December, but legal experts say the final decision is likely to fall to the ECJ.
ECJ officials said Wednesday that the Luxembourg-based court will take months, or at least weeks, to clarify whether Italy can legally return migrants to countries considered safe, such as Egypt, Tunisia or Bangladesh. He said it was possible.
