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 

Sanchez, British prime ministers and French ministers are discovering the rule of the digital age: politicians may well work whilst on holiday, but they must not appear to be on holiday. In the past, politicians used to go on holiday wearing Moro’s coat or staying with Andreotti’s nuns. Today, all it takes is a summer playlist on Instagram to spark accusations of irresponsibility

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

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

Ceuta is the perfect symbol of the politics of fear. Trump uses it against the Democrats, whilst MAGA supporters use it against Europe. But it is Morocco that lies at the heart of the American geopolitical game

Whilst the United Kingdom may defend Gibraltar on the grounds of its presence on the territory and the will of the population, Rabat is calling for the same treatment for Ceuta and Melilla. Trump’s irritation and US statements regarding the Spanish-administered cities “located on Moroccan territory”

The Ministry of the Interior has ordered the closure of the sea and air borders with Spain. The decision follows the meeting of the immigration committee chaired this morning at the Ministry of the Interior by Minister Piantedosi