The intention behind the new requirements that Italy is introducing for private sea rescuers is unmistakable: the work of the aid organizations will be made even more difficult, in fact they should be subordinate to the country's authorities.
Even if the decree is not as harsh as the co-governing Lega would have liked, Prime Minister Meloni is fulfilling an election promise.
In the left-wing part of Western Europe, which is eyeing the new right-wing government in Rome critically, it is often overlooked that limiting irregular migration enjoys support in other political camps.
Even Meloni's predecessors Conte and Draghi did not give the private sea rescuers a free hand.
A tenth of all boat migrants
This is not surprising when you consider the dimensions.
The fact that private rescue organizations brought a good tenth of all boat migrants to Italy last year is of a magnitude that no government that is serious about controlling its borders can remain indifferent to.
Italy has rightly complained for years that the rest of the EU has left it alone with the problem.
Last but not least, this means Germany, which even supports sea rescuers with tax money.
It is high time to find a European solution here that goes beyond alibi resettlement, which often does not even happen.