Meloni and Frederiksen demand EU action against uncontrolled immigration after Ceuta crisis

A cross-bloc alliance

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen published a joint statement on Monday, 10 August, on Instagram and Facebook, calling on the EU to reject "uncontrolled immigration" and adopt stricter migration policies. The two leaders, who are the only women heading governments among the EU's 27 member states, come from opposite ends of the political spectrum: Meloni leads the right-wing Fratelli d'Italia, while Frederiksen is a Social Democrat. They acknowledged that "many could question our collaboration" and that they "certainly do not agree on everything," but said they were "united by our desire to defend Europe." Meloni, writing on Facebook, said the two wanted to "share some reflections on the future of Europe, the security of its citizens and the need to defend our values and our way of life."

Proposals and warnings

The statement called for increased deportations and the creation of repatriation centres in third countries, alongside "other innovative solutions outside Europe," saying they were "working hard on this." The two leaders also said they had "managed to change the balance in the application of the European Convention on Human Rights with regard to foreign citizens who commit serious crimes." They argued that "for too long, ordinary people especially have paid too high a price because of uncontrolled immigration."

No one can deny the negative impacts of illegal immigration on our societies: increased crime rates, increasing pressure on public services and erosion of citizens' trust.

The message extended beyond irregular migrants to "the millions of foreign citizens who live legally in our nations and throughout Europe," demanding respect for "European values" and the "Christian cultural heritage of Europe." Fanpage noted that numerous scientific studies in recent years have shown no link between increased immigration and rising crime rates, especially violent crime.

We expect that those who come to our countries and choose to make Europe their home, respect our values and do not try to impose models of life that we do not share.

The Ceuta crisis

The joint message follows tension between Rome and Madrid over the suspension of Schengen arrangements between Italy and Spain, after a wave of migrants arrived at the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta at the end of July. According to Spanish authorities, about 72,000 people entered Ceuta in 24 hours last week, and 70,000 have already returned to Morocco. At least 82 people died trying to reach Ceuta by swimming. Ceuta, a small territory of 80,000 inhabitants on the northern coast of Morocco, became the focal point of the latest migration crisis.

Broader European tensions

Frederiksen has supported Italy's immigration stance on multiple occasions and was among the few European leaders to back Meloni openly in her confrontation with Spain over the Ceuta crisis. The joint statement also follows opposition from Germany to certain migration measures. According to Tgcom24, Italy's Interior Ministry is slowing down a German plan for migrant repatriations to Italy. The concept of deportation centres outside the EU, also known as return centres, has been debated for years and remains highly controversial within the Union. Meloni and Frederiksen insisted that "millions of Europeans share this belief," framing their partnership as a defence of the continent's shared identity.