An intra-European tiff has erupted between newly elected Italian PM Giorgia Meloni–usually referred to by the mainstream press as “Far-Right Giorgia Meloni”–and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
The matter began when four “humanitarian” ships appeared in Italian waters a few days ago. France and all the other EU member states that were not Italy agreed it was up to Italy to take them in. At first, Meloni demurred, but finally relented and allowed the passengers of three of the ships to disembark in Italy. She continued to balk, however, at accepting a fourth ship, the Ocean Viking, bearing 234 illegal migrants from Libya and points south. Instead, Meloni prematurely “thanked” France for admitting those migrants before Macron had agreed to do so.
Caught in a bind, Macron relented and the ship is headed to Marseille. Predictably, a French hissy fit resulted from Meloni’s move. The refusal to accept the migrants was “selfish” and “unacceptable,” and French officials vowed there would be “consequences” for it. Meanwhile, Meloni–whose country has accepted a record 88,000 migrants this year alone–stuck to her guns, on Tuesday posting on Facebook the following: “Citizens have asked us to defend the Italian borders and this Government will not betray its promise.”
Italexit, anyone?
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