Italy and Spain have common interests in Europe; to scupper the agreement on the Ceuta deal is a bizarre mistake, a propaganda stunt that echoes like a gigantic belch. Meloni cannot simply deny her immigration policy in this way

The clash between the governments in Rome and Madrid stems from a profound divergence in political views on migration issues, exacerbated by next year’s elections. The result is opposing propaganda and a series of embarrassing blunders

Pedro Sánchez’s government issues an ultimatum to Giorgia Meloni: “Reopen by Sunday or we will take proportionate measures.” Palazzo Chigi stands by its decision and responds: “We do not accept impositions on national security. We will see after 15 August.”

This is how the (false) news of the alleged opening of Spain’s borders spread online. The role of local media and social media, which acted as a sounding board and where people are still organising for 15 August 

Dozens of deaths, Madrid’s strained relations with Morocco and Algeria, and the much-repeated war on human traffickers. It is still too early to talk about the ‘day after’

To persist in using a term which, in the public eye, shifts the logic of expediency into the realm of ethics – or, worse still, of sentiment – is a linguistic error. And therefore a conceptual one. And consequently a political one

“The problem lies with the countries of origin; the centres would fill up straight away,” says the former police chief. “Human trafficking must be combated with the utmost commitment, but there is no invasion. It’s Vannacci knocking on the door.”

Solidarity with Madrid and a withdrawal of all criticism of Sánchez: during the extraordinary meeting of interior ministers, 22 countries, including Italy, have backtracked on their stance regarding the handling of the emergency in the exclave. But divisions within the EU over migrants are set to resurface