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.”

The Chisinau Declaration seeks to redraw the line between the sovereignty of European states and international constraints on immigration. However, a political declaration, such as that by Piantedosi, is not enough to change the rules of the Strasbourg Court.

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’

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

After some initial caution, Spain has called on the Moroccan government to investigate the influx of migrants. The semi-official response contains accusations against criminal organisations and the ‘occupied’ Ceuta

According to José Manuel Albares, “the Italian government has not risen to the challenge on migrants”. The Ministry of the Interior’s response: “From January this year to the present day, there has been a sharp fall in the number of irregular migrant arrivals, achieved precisely thanks to the government’s policies. And there has been no ‘invasion’ in Lampedusa”

The former minister has spoken out against the “crisis responses” of the government and the EU. “Suspending the treaty could lead to outcomes contrary to those hoped for. What is needed now is a genuine pact between the EU and Africa, one that does not leave us vulnerable to blackmail by individual countries and criminal organisations, as happened in Morocco”