Council of Ministers in Cutro, the government approves the new migrant decree. Meloni: «We will look for smugglers all over the world»

Council of Ministers in Cutro, the government approves the new migrant decree. Meloni: «We will look for smugglers all over the world».

“Cutro does not defend Piantedosi”, “The government is coming. The dead remain". It is with these writings – appeared at dawn on the provincial road from Crotone to Cutro and then removed in the afternoon - which begins the long day of the government, which arrived in the Calabrian town for the Extraordinary Council of Ministers after the massacre.

The mayor of Cutro Antonio Ceraso, to manage public order and after the representatives of Cobas and other associations had announced an authorized demonstration during the Council of Ministers, with an ordinance ordering the closure of all shops and commercial activities, lock down the country.

Premier Meloni lands in Crotone and arrives at the town hall in Cutro at 16pm, welcomed by the applause of the people present and by the protests of some protesters who have thrown soft toys at institutional cars. “Assassins”, you can hear shouting as members of the government greet the local authorities.

Then, while the police forces try to contain the protest procession, the Prime Minister inaugurates a plaque in memory of victims of the shipwreck at the entrance to the municipality of Cutro.

Meanwhile, over 40 Italian and European civil society associations are presenting a collective complaint to the Crotone Prosecutor's Office for “ask for light” about the massacre, “cost the lives of at least 72 people, including many children”. Among the signatories Emergency, SOS Mediterranean e Legambiente, but also Open Arms. “We want to give our contribution to ascertaining the facts, there can be no gray areas regarding possible responsibilities in the rescue machine”.

When the Council of Ministers begins, the draft of the new migrant decree is already circulating. The meeting ends shortly after 17.30pm and the government announces the green light for the new rules (approved unanimously). To illustrate its contents, Meloni, Salvini, Tajani and the other competent ministers go to press conference immediately after the end of the session.

«We wanted to celebrate the Council of Ministers here because it was the day after the tragedy of February 26th we wanted to give a symbolic and concrete signal». It starts like this Giorgia Meloni.

Then he continues: «Our response to what happened is a major policy firmness. We have passed a legislative decree that addresses this matter and we have done so to reiterate that we are determined to defeat human trafficking responsible for this tragedy».

The press conference starts quietly, then, after the interventions of the competent Ministers, the Premier engages in a back-and-forth with the journalists present. The controversy focuses, as expected, on the failure to help and on political responsibilities of the shipwreck.

After a series of pressing questions, the tension between the government and journalists rises again. So Meloni blurts out: «I don't accept the idea that we have looked the other way». At this point, the President tries to reconstruct again what happened on 26 February. Salvini, Tajani and the other ministers try to give her support in responding to those who accuse the government of not having done enough. With Crying himself which refers to the content of his information to the Chambers.

Here are some in detail innovations introduced by the decree.

The crimes committed by smugglers will also be prosecuted abroad: they now face up to 30 years in prison. They will come flow decrees restored, which will be every three years. The government's message is clear: “It will not be convenient to enter Italy illegally”.

It is the cancellation of special protection was also announced. Some commentators had already predicted this. It would be a concession to the League which, for days, has been pushing for the return to Salvini decrees. On the other hand, however, he would come facilitated the renewal of permits for those who already reside in Italy regularly.

The Minister of the Interior Crying himself adds: «To ensure il strengthening of detention centers for repatriation, we have envisaged a simplification of the procedures required by the rules on public contracts for the planning and construction of any new structures».

«Today I count on putting an end to the unseemly controversies for a welcoming and supportive country like Italy, which has experienced immigration». Thus the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Matteo Salvini again during the press conference at the end of the CDM.

In reality, the clash between the government and journalists continues until the end of the conference. Responding to those who asked her why she didn't go to the victims' families, Meloni defends herself before her, saying: «I've finished the CDM now». Then, pressed again, she declares: "We can go easily, I'll go willingly".

A final controversy that ends with a note, released by the government a few minutes before the departure of the Prime Minister and the Ministers from Cutro: “Meloni, will invite the families of the victims of the Cutro tragedy to Palazzo Chigi in the next few hours”.

In the evening, when the spotlights go out in Cutro, approximately 1.500 Guests, landed in the last 24 hours in Lampedusa, they crowd into an already crowded hotspot.