ECJ Ruling Highlights Illegal Actions by Italian Government, Says Democratic Party

Rome: Elly Schlein, the leader of the opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD), stated that the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) ruling on the agreement between Rome and Tirana for Italian-run migrant centres in Albania demonstrated that the government had acted illegally with the initiative.

According to Ansa News Agency, Schlein remarked, “The European Court has ruled against the Italian government. Who knows if this time too they’ll say we were the inspiration and that the European Court is only trying to block justice reform in Italy.” She emphasized that the government should be accountable for not adhering to Italian and European laws, resulting in illegal decisions regarding the migrant centres in Albania. Schlein criticized the centres for violating the fundamental rights of migrants and asylum seekers and for misusing over 800 million euros of Italian taxpayers’ money.

The magistrates union ANM expressed support for the ECJ’s decision. ANM President Cesare Parodi commented, “No one was rowing in the opposite direction to the government. An interpretation was presented by the Italian judges which today the Court of Justice of the European Union says is correct.” Parodi highlighted the importance of acknowledging the ruling for the sake of clarity and without controversy.