Italian migration policy and politics : exacerbating paradoxes

Abstract

Key political and legislative developments related to immigration in Italy in 2019 were crystallized, represented and powerfully mediated in public debate by the Sea-Watch incident, which was emblematic not only of the politicization of immigration in Italy but also of underlying paradoxes. One paradox is that migration flows to Italy across the Mediterranean attracted huge political and media attention despite being much smaller than migration for family or employment reasons. Another is that Italians’ attitudes to immigration have generally become more favourable, although issue salience has been persistently high with important political effects. The third is that, while ostensibly driven by the intention of reducing undocumented migration, Matteo Salvini’s actions as Interior Minister may lead to its increase and feed the problems his actions are supposed to address. While paradoxes of these types are evident in other destination countries, the commitment and political will to resolve them has further diminished in Italy in 2019.