Italy: Deputy Prime Minister Investigated Over Migrant Vessel

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Sep 16, 2024

Above: Matteo Salvini attends the old Caserma di Montello in Milan on April 29, 2024. Image copyright: Alessandro Bremec/Contributor/NurPhoto/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated Sep 17

The Facts

Italian prosecutors are investigating Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini for his role in allegedly preventing a migrant boat from docking in August 2019. The Open Arms charity ship was stuck at sea for nearly three weeks in 2019. If convicted, Salvini could face up to six years in prison
In 2019, Salvini was interior minister in Giuseppe Conte's administration. He implemented a "closed ports" policy that barred charity ships from rescuing migrants across the Mediterranean and accused humanitarian organizations of supporting smuggling.

The Spin

Narrative A

Italy has allowed hundreds of thousands of immigrants to work legally in the country to address employment shortages. But, in 2019, illegal immigration was out of control, and it was necessary to stop the flow and address human trafficking in the Mediterranean. It's absurd that prosecutors are accusing Salvini of kidnapping for preventing a ship of migrants from landing on Italy's shores. He was simply doing his job to protect the country's borders.

Voice of America

Narrative B

Salvini's decision to prevent the Open Arms vessel from docking created an unsustainable situation for the 147 migrants on board, with potentially disastrous consequences. Furthermore, Prime Minister Meloni's intervention in the case is highly inappropriate, since the case against Salvini is a legal matter, not a political one. It's imperative that the executive and judicial branches remain autonomous and independent.