Aquarius, again. Once more this humanitarian ship sails at the mercy of European (bad) moods, tossed between some countries’ closed ports and others’ refusals to take them in.
Since yesterday morning, the government, supported by LR and the RN, has been engaging in a spectacle of backtracking and evasions reminiscent of episode number 1 of the sad Aquarius saga in June. We are all for solidarity, but let it dock in Malta (which it is actually going to do), a minister exclaims, citing maritime law. Let’s not fall into the trap set for us, another boldly warns. “Us,” implicitly meaning, each in their field, Italian Salvini or unyielding Mélenchon.
In short, all excuses are good for letting the ship drift, a symbol of the guilty conscience of a Europe with 500 million inhabitants unable to accommodate 58 migrants. Certainly, the issue is much broader, much more complex, and quite arduous, but the political will of the 27 is clearly absent. We are willing to welcome refugees on a case-by-case basis, but not their ship. As if it should not be too noticeable.
The Mediterranean, Mare Nostrum — our sea — of the Romans, is the cradle of Europe. But when the Aquarius floats there, it becomes Nobody’s Sea…
