Spain extends border controls for travelers arriving by sea or air from Italy for another 15 days as a response to Italy’s Schengen suspension extension amid the Ceuta migration crisis, a move Italy says is necessary to protect its borders.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi conveyed the extension details to Spain’s Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a constructive call, stressing that evaluation continues and normalization efforts are underway.

Rome notes Spain and EU efforts to restore normalcy in Ceuta and the migration situation while maintaining its existing measures.

The measures are framed as reciprocal to Italy’s extension and are supported by Italian officials as a security necessity based on expert analysis.

Spain and Italy have faced diplomatic friction and criticism from other European governments, with some noting Spain’s policy as relatively open and potentially a pull factor, while Spain rejects Morocco’s responsibility for the crisis.

Spain’s crisis response is also tied to broader narratives about disinformation campaigns influencing migration debates, with leaders pointing to actors behind such campaigns.

Spain rejects responsibility for Morocco in the Ceuta crisis and reinforces cooperation with Rabat as essential for security and migration management.

Italian opposition labels the border-control move as political rhetoric, but government officials defend it as a necessary security measure.

Domestically, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces pressure from a rising far-right party ahead of elections, which critics say shapes her hardline immigration stance.

Critics accuse Meloni of using border controls to signal domestic political support amid far-right party pressure.

The broader political dynamic in Italy includes a push from the National Future party that is influencing border policy messaging.

Twenty-two EU countries criticized Spain’s approach, arguing the policy is relatively open and may act as a pull factor for migrants.