The migration problem continues to cause tensions between Italy and Germany. The deputy head of the right-wing ruling Lega party, Andrea Crippa, added fuel to the fire on Tuesday: “The government in Berlin is using illegal migrants like the German army did 80 years ago.”
Crippa complained to the news portal affaritaliani.it that the German government was financing rescue operations in the Mediterranean by dedicated NGOs to “destabilize” the Italian cabinet. The League is the second strongest party in the governing coalition in Rome. Andrea Crippa is number two in the party led by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.
“Berlin does not want the centre-right coalition to rule in Italy”
“80 years ago, the German government decided to invade states with the army, but it ended badly for them. Now they are financing the invasion of illegal immigrants to destabilize governments that the social democrats don’t like. It is clear that the German government does not want the centre-right coalition to rule in Italy. She is doing everything she can to trouble the Italian government in the hope of overthrowing it,” Crippa said.
Salvini: Berlin is ‘flooding’ its shores with migrants
Matteo Salvini also recently accused Berlin of “flooding” Italian shores with refugees through partial funding of NGOs.
Funding from the German federal government to NGOs that rescue migrants in the central Mediterranean has been causing problems in Italy for days.
NGO Funding: Meloni is amazed by Scholz
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a letter to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday that she was “surprised” that Berlin was funding NGOs working to rescue migrants at sea and also helping them in Italy, without consulting the government in Rome to discuss it to vote. .
“I was surprised to hear that your government – in an uncoordinated manner with the Italian government – has apparently decided to provide significant funding to non-governmental organizations engaged in the reception of irregular migrants on Italian territory and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea.” , Meloni writes according to Italian media.
Asylum crisis: Meloni appeals to EU members
The Italian government emphasized in its letter that EU members should focus on structural solutions to the migrant problem. “I believe that EU countries interested in providing concrete support to Italy should focus more on developing structural solutions to the migration phenomenon, for example by working on an EU initiative with the southern bank transit countries of the Mediterranean Sea, which also requires fewer resources than those that have existed with Turkey for some time,” said Meloni.
Berlin responded to criticism from Rome
The Foreign Ministry in Berlin pointed out on Friday that the money would be used to implement a decision by the German Bundestag. The first tranche – between 400,000 and 800,000 euros each – should be paid ‘soon’ to a project to care for migrants on land and a project to rescue migrants at sea. One of the organizations is SOS Humanity.
The Italian government subsequently demanded an explanation, insisting that German financing of migrant projects in Italy was a serious “anomaly”. Rescuing people in distress at sea is a humanitarian and moral duty, a spokesperson for the Berlin Foreign Ministry told ANSA. “Like the national coast guards, especially the Italian coast guard, civilian rescue workers in the central Mediterranean also take on a rescue task with their ships,” the spokesperson said.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
