The Senate on Thursday approved new
measures on migration set out in a government decree passed in
the wake of the February 26 Cutro shipwreck and now before
parliament for conversion into law.
The package, which includes controversial restrictions to
Italy's protection regime for refugees and asylum seekers and
measures aiming to counter irregular migration, was approved
with 92 votes in favour and 64 against.
It will now go to the Lower House for final approval by May 10.
Interior Ministry Undersecretary Nicola Molteni of the
right-wing League hailed the vote as an "excellent result",
saying the centre-right coalition is now "stronger".
"We have approved a fundamental tool to counter trafficking and
illegal immigration," said Molteni.
He added that the "important" restrictions on special protection
for asylum seekers not deemed eligible for international
protection are a "return to the logic of the Salvini decrees",
referring to a clamp-down on protection introduced by League
leader and then Interior Minister Matteo Salvini in 2018 and
subsequently overturned by his successor Luciana Lamorgese in
2020.
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