Reacting to the outcome, Meloni said the vote represented a significant achievement for Italy, which has for years pushed for stricter migration controls at both national and European levels.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hailed the European Parliament's approval of a new regulation aimed at strengthening the deportation of illegal migrants from the European Union, describing the development as a major victory for Italy and a historic step in European migration policy.
The European Parliament voted on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in favour of the Return Directive, a legislative proposal designed to establish a more effective and coordinated system for returning migrants who do not have the legal right to remain in EU member states.
The measure secured the backing of 418 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), while 218 voted against it. Following the vote, chants of "send them back" reportedly echoed through the parliamentary chamber, reflecting the strong support among many lawmakers for tougher migration enforcement measures.
Reacting to the outcome, Meloni said the vote represented a significant achievement for Italy, which has for years pushed for stricter migration controls at both national and European levels.
