A new system for processing migrants will be implemented in the Italian peninsula on the initiative of the new government led by Paolo Gentiloni and his Minister of the Interior Domenico Minniti and the delegated Secretary of State Domenico Manzione, a former magistrate.
While the activities of Frontex, the European border control agency, have been reinforced, and agreements have been negotiated with Tunisia and Libya for better management of flows, the Italian government has implemented a “SPRAR” plan that provides for the distribution of migrants currently present on the territory to all municipalities.
The basic principle is a ratio of 2/1000 migrants per number of inhabitants. The quota for Liguria is 6043.
The distribution follows several criteria. In short, municipalities with fewer than 2000 inhabitants will have to accommodate 6 refugees, with others based on the number of residents.
Management is left to the association of mayors of the Region, and in the absence of agreement, the Prefectures will decide ex-officio.
This is the path that many mayors prefer: in the face of a reluctant population, it is better to have a decision imposed rather than assume responsibility!
For example, the regional capital Genoa, which currently hosts nearly 3000 migrants, should be relieved and see this number reduced to just over 1000.
Ventimiglia should also benefit from the implementation of this plan: from more than 1100 migrants, the number should significantly decrease, with positive repercussions for the always tense situation at the Italian-French border.
All this is subject to the condition that the implementation of the plan is successful, which, given all the constraints and variables at play, raises questions.
