Italy and Spain clash over migration, Sweden backs Italy

On August 12, 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez clashed over migration policy. Sánchez accused Meloni of using the issue for electoral gain, while Meloni defended her government's approach. Spain also criticized Italy's stance on the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, but Sweden sided with Italy, calling Spain's regularization plan a bad idea. Meanwhile, Meloni praised Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's work but noted the demands of his new role at the Ministry of Transport.