Rome Pushes Back Against Germany's Plan to Return Migrants Under Dublin Rules

Germany, headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, seeks to enforce the Dublin Regulations by sending back migrants who initially arrived in the EU through Italy, a move linked to the EU Migration Pact that began on June 12. The plan includes returning a 22-year-old Somali national, Abdirisaq Warsame, to Italy on August 19, arguing that Italy should process her asylum claim. Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, maintains that a “clean slate” arrangement covers all cases prior to the pact’s activation, meaning no migrants will be returned under the Dublin system.

Italian Interior Ministry sources say insufficient time has passed to verify post-June-12 arrivals and stress the importance of a balancing mechanism for migrants rescued by NGOs flying European flags, most of which are German. A German Interior Ministry spokesperson reiterated that a functioning Dublin system is a prerequisite for successful asylum reform and expects transfers to Italy and Greece to resume. The disagreement highlights a growing tension between Rome and Berlin over migration policy within the EU framework.