Italy has extended controls at its air and sea borders with Spain for another 15 days, simultaneously blocking Schengen. Madrid responded immediately, extending the similar measure until October 8th .

Madrid first introduced checks, in response to the Italian measure, on August 8th, initially for a month. The measure was subsequently extended until September 23rd.

"This decision is absurd, useless and shameful, because it undermines the spirit and philosophy of what it means to be European partners," thundered Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares , commenting on the Meloni government's decision.

The member of Sanchez's government recalls that Italy is currently receiving "double" the number of irregular migrants. The decision, he adds, was made for "domestic political reasons," accusing Meloni and Tajani of behaving like "inappropriate" European leaders .

Albares, speaking to the media in the Senate, said he had asked both the PP, as an ally of Forza Italia, and Vox, as an ally of Meloni, to let them know that "this measure is a disgrace, it is absurd and it is ridiculous."

He also recalled that in 2023, when the Italian government was unable to manage the arrival of immigrants on the island of Lampedusa, "we not only offered our solidarity, as we have done in many other situations, but we even welcomed irregular migrants and took them to Spain."

"I understand that the Italian government is acting for domestic political reasons," the Spanish minister continued, "but it is shameful and certainly represents a direct attack on the dignity of the Spanish people and on the unity and solidarity of Europeans."

Antonio Tajani 's response: " It's not an attitude against anyone, it's not a political position. Our problem is ensuring internal and border security . There's no border with Spain; there are ships and planes arriving from Spain, and I think that's right as long as the situation in Ceuta is so dramatic."