The Italian government will maintain restrictions on free movement for another 15 days. It introduced the measure following the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta, Spain, in July to prevent them from potentially moving to the Apennine Peninsula.

The temporary suspension of the Schengen regime, which allows for travel without passport controls, was originally set to expire on Monday. The Ministry of the Interior justified the decision by citing the persistence of the circumstances that led to the reinstatement of controls on 1 August.

Spanish authorities estimate that between 5,000 and 8,000 people remain in Ceuta. At least 72,000 of them crossed the border from neighboring Morocco on 30 July. The bodies of at least 82 migrants were found on the Spanish side, while Rabat confirmed another 14 deaths.

Italy has also taken note of the measures taken by Madrid and the European Union, which aim to stabilize the situation in the near future.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who advocates a hard line against illegal migration, is facing pressure from the Futuro Nazionale party ahead of next year’s elections. The opposition has called the checks unnecessary, as there are no indications that people from Ceuta are heading to Italy. According to the opposition, the measure will also damage relations with Spain.

(Reuters, bak)