ROME, July 7 -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella said this week it was "irresponsible" for the new Italian government to let its strict anti-migrant policies put the European Union's open border laws at risk, adding his voice to a growing chorus of public figures opposed to the measures.
"Freedom of movement for Italians," Mattarella said on a state visit to Estonia, "is an irrevocable fact."
Only five weeks after it was installed, the new Italian government is so far probably best known for its strict policies on asylum seekers. The country has refused to let non-Italian rescue ships dock in its harbors, and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has pressured other European Union leaders to toughen their laws on migration. Matteo Salvini, one of two deputy prime ministers and the country's minister of the interior, has threatened to kick out as many as half a million migrants already living in Italy.
Polls show a growing minority of Italians support tougher policies on migrants, who pollsters say are frequently blamed for rising crime rates, violence, and increasing government expenditures. But the rigorous policies Conte and Salvini have pushed for are also drawing criticism from across the spectrum in Italy, among them athletes, actors, intellectuals, and political leaders.
"DORMANT CONSCIENCE"
"I think it is time for Italy to wake up and become more open to people from outside, following the example of France or England," said Mario Balotelli, one of the best-known players on Italy's national soccer team. Balotelli is himself the child of migrants from Ghana.
Claudio Amendola, a television and cinema actor, said Italy must move past what he called a "fear" of those from other cultures or races.
"We all have a little bit of fear but we cannot let our country go adrift," Amendola said. "I think it is time to awaken our national conscience that until now has been a bit too dormant."
A letter signed by more than 200 public intellectuals -- academics, writers, and think tank fellows -- made similar charges, saying the government's anti-migrant policies were "unconstitutional, morally unacceptable, and contrary to the most basic human rights."
Matteo Renzi, a former Italian prime minister, made the unusual choice to criticize the government's policies in a column published in the U.S.-based Washington Post to mark World Refugee Day. In the article, he said the government was too busy making a play for the approval of their anti-migrant base to take the correct steps.
"I have always said that faced with a person who is about to drown, our first thought must be to save them and only afterwards to think of the effect on public opinion," Renzi wrote. "You can lose an election, but you shouldn't lose your human dignity."
CRITICISM FROM PRESIDENT
In Italy, the president is the head of state, a largely ceremonial role compared with that of the prime minister, who is the head of government. The president usually tries to stay above most day-to-day political issues.
But because of the unusual results from Italy's general election in March -- two populist parties both exceeded any of their previous results -- and the controversial stances taken by the resulting government, Mattarella has been forced into a more public role.
Even so, his recent criticisms against the government are usual. Regarding Salvini's recent call for a European alliance against "mass migration," Mattarella noted that the heating up of anti-migrant rhetoric was irrational.
"Between the middle of 2017 to middle of 2018, arrivals to Italy from Africa have fallen by 85 percent," Mattarella said. "Talking about closing borders isn't rational, it is a response to emotions. But responsible politics require rationality."
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EUs Tusk says Mays Chequers plan wont work
国内英语资讯:Premier Li holds dialogue with representatives attending Summer Davos
情感专家告诉你:如何“科学地”说分手
国内英语资讯:China rolls out further tax cuts in support of real economy
国际英语资讯:Russian government approves draft budget for 2019-2021
体坛英语资讯:Genoa, Sampdoria matches postponed in wake of deadly bridge collapse
体坛英语资讯:Kenya team to have good performance at Youth Olympic Games despite missing out in swimming
国内英语资讯:2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit: What to expect
艾玛抢戏石头姐,出演《小妇人》!你更喜欢谁?
特朗普总统访问受飓风重创的北卡罗来纳州
睡不着?也许是因为你太累了
国际英语资讯:S. African president unveils economic stimulus plan
Playing Football 踢足球
谢谢你让我们认识“樱桃小丸子”!
国内英语资讯:Top legislator highlights Chinas adherence to win-win cooperation
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses aesthetic education for youths healthy growth
国际英语资讯:Iran continues nuclear cooperation with Russia: nuke spokesman
国内英语资讯:China, Japan have broad prospects for economic, trade cooperation: vice premier
国际英语资讯:Woman kills herself after shooting dead 3 in U.S. Maryland
国际英语资讯:South Sudanese president arrives in Khartoum for official visit
体坛英语资讯:South Korea wins in first Asiad womens football qualification match
体坛英语资讯:Suarez to miss Uruguay friendlies
体坛英语资讯:Olympic legend calls for greater gender equality in sport
国际英语资讯:U.S. says DPRKs denuclearization has to come first
《神奇女侠2》推迟上映,据说是想寻求高票房?
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses building pilot FTZs toward new heights of reform, opening-up
国际英语资讯:California prohibits full-service restaurants from automatically providing plastic straws
国内英语资讯:China, Cote dIvoire agree to promote bilateral ties to higher level
国际英语资讯:U.S. state announces accord with federal govt on nuclear waste site
体坛英语资讯:German national team coach praises French football ahead of Nations League clash
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |