Dispute with Italy
Spain’s Prime Minister gives Meloni an ultimatum
Updated August 7, 2026 – 6:36 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Europe cannot calm down after the onslaught on Ceuta. Spain’s Prime Minister Sánchez sets a final deadline for Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni.
Spain has ultimately called on Italy’s government to end the border controls introduced because of the Ceuta crisis. “If it does not do so by Sunday, August 9, Spain will be forced to take proportionate measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens,” state broadcaster RTVE quoted a government statement in Madrid as saying.
The trigger was the rush of around 72,000 people from last weekend Morocco from the Spanish North African exclave Ceuta achieved – around 80 of them died.
Italy had responded by suspending the Schengen agreement on the free movement of persons. Since then, anyone entering Italy by plane or ship has to expect passport controls; Controls at the national borders have also been tightened. Travelers without EU citizenship are particularly affected. The Spanish government considers the controls to be unfair, contrary to the interests of the EU and discriminatory against its own population. Italy must “treat Spaniards like other EU citizens,” demanded Madrid.
The EU states had previously agreed on an independent investigation into the events during crisis consultations between the interior ministers on Tuesday and ended the public dispute. Sánchez now followed up with the ultimatum – and his Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also increased the pressure: There was “no reason” for Italy to maintain border controls.
- Ceuta: What is behind the crisis
- Germany: Dobrindt wants to extend border controls
Meloni stays hard
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made it clear that she would not adhere to any ultimatum. “Italy does not allow ultimatums or guidelines to be dictated from abroad on issues of national security and border control,” her office said in a statement. The controls will only be lifted “when it is certain that there are no security or terrorism risks for Italy, there is no new wave and no irregular migrants arrive on European soil.”
This means that the two EU states are irreconcilable. Sánchez is calling for the controls to end by August 9th, Meloni wants to stick to them until at least August 15th. Until then, another wave of migration can be expected in Ceuta, her office said. The right-wing head of government from the Fratelli d’Italia party described the measure as an “extraordinary” step to “protect national security”. At the same time, border authorities should “do their utmost” to make entry as easy as possible for Spaniards and EU citizens.
