Passport to Discord: Southern Europe's Migration Muddle The recent spat between Spain and Italy over passport controls is a symptom of a deeper issue plaguing the European Union: its inability to balance competing national interests with the free movement of people.
The latest flashpoint was triggered by the sudden arrival of 72,000 migrants from Morocco at Spain's North African territory of Ceuta, which has since subsided but left an indelible mark on the region.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni imposed border controls on Spanish travelers, complete with random police checks at Barcelona airport, in response to Spain's progressive migration policies.