Italy's Meloni moves to allow naval blockades against migrants


Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni waits to welcome Chile's President-elect Jose Antonio Kast, at Chigi Palace, in Rome, Italy, February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

ROME, Feb 11 (Reuters) - ⁠Italy's cabinet approved a bill on Wednesday authorising naval blockades to halt ⁠migrant boats during periods of "exceptional pressure" at the country's borders, a ‌government source said, further tightening measures against irregular arrivals.

Since taking office in late 2022, right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has moved to speed up repatriations of unsuccessful asylum seekers and introduced stiffer jail terms ​for human smugglers, in a bid to stem ⁠sea crossings.

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