Sanchez threatens “reopen the borders or face countermeasures”, but Meloni says “no ultimatums – he could have spared us that”

We have even turned Julio Iglesias against us. Without Schengen, dear Meloni, it is a no-go. Sánchez’s Spain is threatening reprisals and counter-measures against the Meloni government, which has suspended Schengen. It is the ‘espadrilles war’. Meloni calls Tajani, Salvini and Piantedosi, and they agree on a line to take, because ‘we will not back down. They could have spared us that’. It is decided to respond with a very tough statement: “Italy does not accept ultimatums”. Piantedosi, who has always favoured a soft line and no hysteria, accepts the approach. Until 15 August, Meloni does not change her decision. Checks and borders. Closed, cerrado.

This is a very serious confrontation. The government had anticipated a reaction from Spain, from Sánchez, but had not imagined an official threat, set out in a note, stating: "Revoke the checks on travellers or we will adopt proportionate measures". Meloni is holding talks with the deputy prime ministers and Piantedosi. The first response comes from the minister, who is attending an FdI event in Sorrento, and it is courteous: “I do not see Sánchez’s words as a threat, but as the concern of a leader who is clearly facing a difficult situation at the moment.” Shortly afterwards, a response arrives from Palazzo Chigi because – as Meloni informs Salvini and Tajani – “this is a political clash” and “no one should presume to tell Italy what to do, and there can be no room for those who encourage illegal immigration”. Salvini, in Via Bellerio, before attending the Lombardy League meeting, suggested to Sánchez “that he should keep quiet and control his borders”, and then added: “I won’t be announcing my return to the Ministry of the Interior at Pontida. If we win the elections and they ask me to return to the Ministry of the Interior, I’ll go back.”

The migrant crisis has now become a matter of honour, the subject of "Morte nel pomeriggio", decrees and political manoeuvring. In her response, Meloni points out that 15 August is the date "indicated by the Spanish authorities themselves". There are fears of another wave of arrivals on that day. Government sources explain: “It is Spain that has raised the issue again, and the fact that two military vessels have been sent to Ceuta bears witness to the existence of an emergency.” It is true that the Schengen Agreement has been suspended on several occasions, and that France has currently suspended it for the G7 summit, whilst Italy has suspended it alongside Croatia and Slovenia; yet for Spain, this is the yardstick of European solidarity.

Meloni is, however, forced to respond. The line taken is widely supported, all the more so for a prefect – a civil servant like Piantedosi – but the truth is that two approaches are clashing. There is the strict approach of Meloni and Salvini, and there is the other, that of the officials at the Ministry of the Interior. The decision to suspend Schengen and reinstate border controls comes in the summer, at a time when people are travelling, with the police forced to work long shifts. There is talk of scepticism amongst the prefects, who were informed of the decision without warning and were unable to organise the suspension. These are selective checks, Piantedosi and the Ministry of the Interior reiterate, but they are having an impact on arrivals at ports. They are also affecting Spanish citizens who have decided to come to Italy despite the checks – so it is said, and this time almost flippantly, "in the Italian way", without a care in the world.

Even Tajani, who initially took a hard line with Spain, feels more at ease with Piantedosi. There had been talk of postponing the decision until after 15 August, fearing a response from a wounded Spain, but in the end the battle with a socialist government – which Schlein and Conte have always held up as a model – prevailed. There is just a tiny gesture of goodwill in Meloni’s statement: “There is no prejudice against a friendly country such as Spain.” Except that this time, it is Sánchez who is pulling a Meloni, as Iglesias might sing, with “the wounded pride of one who then rebels”.