What does a far-right government in Italy mean for asylum seekers and migrants? — MPG’s Carmine Conte interviewed by The New Humanitarian
Following the unprecedented electoral victory of Georgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party, The New Humanitarian has published an article wherein it asks ‘what a far-right government in Italy means for asylum seekers and migrants’.
In order to help answer this question, the author interviewed MPG’s Carmine Conte, who is quoted multiple times throughout. First, providing an overview of what migrants can expect, Conte states that:
“[with the] new Italian government we are going towards hostile, anti-migrant policies on the same level as Salvini [in 2018/2019].”
However, Ukrainians who have escaped the Russian invasion will likely be exempt from this hardline approach, exemplifying a double standard seen across Europe.
He also outlines how new policies might involve restricting development aid to countries that do not restrict their outflows of migration to Italy, while also even negatively affecting migrants and the children of migrants born in Italy, who currently face a difficult path to obtaining citizenship.
Additionally, Conte highlights the possibility of sending asylum seekers outside the EU to have their claims processed, as it “is something we’ve already seen at the European level as a trend.”
Why does it matter?
In providing an evidence-based analysis of how the election results could influence policies toward migrants and refugees, Conte is helping to further MPG’s commitment to ‘equal opportunities and non-discrimination’, as well as MPG’s vision of a ‘world where everyone fully participates and contributes to an inclusive society and public life.’
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.