Italian Premier Meloni says curbing migrant arrivals from Africa is about investment, not charity

[Polybius]

Source: Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told her European Union partners Thursday that curbing migration flows from African countries has less to do with offers of charity than strong partnerships coupled with strategic investments in those nations.

Meloni told reporters at a year-end news conference that last month’s deal on the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact partially improved the situation for Italy and other asylum countries, but does not represent a solution to increasing migrant arrivals.

“What needs to be done in Africa is not charity,” she said. “What needs to be done in Africa is to build cooperation and serious strategic relationships as equals, not predators.”

Meloni also stressed the need “to defend the right not to have to emigrate ... and this is done with investments and a strategy.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/italy-eu-africa-migration-strategy-energy-bfffac3ff93ad2a97aead324caa11130

[Prairie Gates]

1. I mean, she's right

But is she serious?

[Polybius]

2. Time will tell

Italy has historically changed governments frequently, but I have a feeling that she will last. She's charismatic and popular with the right over there.

[Prairie Gates]

3. She's the smartest and savviest of the right wingers, for sure

Reframing her stance as a right for people not to have to emigrate is actually quite clever. I mean, imagine if right wingers in the US were talking about expansive investment in Central and South America instead of building walls and "America's full" and similar shitheadery.

The actual question, however, is whether there will be real investment. Italy can't do it, so it's a question of the EU. Meloni has also demonstrated absolute refual to bow to Russia on NATO and EU issues, so that's also good. Genitore uno, genitore due, indeed...