UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her strong alignment with British PM Keir Starmer on addressing illegal immigration.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, has stated she is “in tune on many issues” with the Labour leader Keir Starmer, especially about “the fight against mass illegal immigration” and the need for “innovative solutions” to asylum processing, highlighting Italy’s agreement with Albania.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Meloni stated her ties with Keir Starmer as “strong,” despite they both come from opposing political backgrounds.
Ms Meloni stated, “We are in tune on many issues. I think, for example, about the governance of migratory flows and the fight against mass illegal immigration, because it’s a problem that effects the entire European continent, even beyond EU borders.”
She also pointed out her great relations with Tesla owner Elon Musk, a close supporter of Donald Trump, who recently attacked Starmer’s government earlier this week.
“Elon Musk is a brilliant man, and I find our debates interesting,” she said, adding that it made her smile to think how those who once called him “a genius” now describe him as a “monster” due to his stance on some issues.
She further stated that she and Keir Starmer both were in favour of tougher policies for traffickers, more voluntary repatriations, and exploring new ideas such as the Italy-Albania asylum deal.
While she pointed out the €670m (£556m) deal to move 3,000 intercepted individuals to Albania monthly, she did not acknowledge the legal hurdles since its start in October.
Keir Starmer showed strong interest in the pact during his September visit to Rome, but to date, the Gjadër detention camp and other facilities are empty, with a report stating that stray dogs have taken their place.
Speaking at the Atreju festival in December, Ms Meloni expressed confidence that the deal “will work,” stating she’s willing to dedicate every day and night to working on it until her government’s term ends.
Despite pledging £4m in support of Meloni’s immigration efforts in September, the British prime minister has been criticized by Labour figures and NGOs like the Refugee Council and Amnesty International, who warned against repeating failed policies like the Rwanda plan.
Meloni, whose coalition government began in October 2022, stated she has never regretted any decisions made since taking office.
The British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is enjoying his first abroad holiday with his family in Madeira. In August, his planned trip was postponed due to riots. Recently, after his brother’s death on Boxing Day, he joined his wife and child.
Last week, a survey conducted by the More In Commons, revealed that Labour would lose 200 seats if general elections were held today.
Before Christmas, Sir Keir Starmer, along with Chancellor Rachel and Business Secretary wrote a joint letter to major UK regulators to propose plans to boost the UK’s economy.