Italy’s Cabinet has approved a bill allowing naval blockades to stop migrant boats during periods of “exceptional pressure” at its borders, marking a further step in the migration strategy of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The legislation allows Italy to restrict entry into territorial waters for up to 30 days, extendable to six months, if authorities identify risks to public order or national security, including potential terrorist threats.
The measure aligns with Italy’s plan to implement the EU migration and asylum pact and could support the Italy-Albania migration protocol, under which migrants rescued at sea may be processed in Albanian centres run by Italy.
Key developments:
• Italy may transfer intercepted migrants to third countries with bilateral agreements.
• Interior Ministry data shows 1,938 irregular sea arrivals so far in 2026, compared with 66,296 in 2025.
• Opposition parties and legal experts warn the policy may conflict with international law.
• The Central Mediterranean route remains a primary migration corridor into Europe.
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