Briefing
The editorial team has corrected and clarified the previously challenged report following a fresh review. On 15 October 2026, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Spanish Partido Popular, said that Italy was maintaining checks at the internal borders of the Schengenarea with Spain because Spain was “not considered reliable”; he added that this “would not happen” if he were head of government, because he was “reliable”.
These remarks were documented by several Spanish media outlets and refer to the checks between Italy and Spain, resumed since summer 2026 in connection with the migration crisis in Ceuta. Background: In August 2026, the Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced temporary checks at certain internal borders with Spain and reinstated them in some areas. Madrid responded with its own checks on travellers from Italy; the measure triggered diplomatic tensions between Rome and Madrid and was covered in national and international media. The editorial addition clearly distinguishes the primary claim (Feijóo’s attribution of a motive to the Italian government) from verifiable facts (the existence and resumption of border checks and the bilateral dispute). The attribution of an internal motive (“distrust of Pedro Sánchez”) remains identified as the opposition leader’s direct opinion and assessment, rather than being presented as an established fact. A more detailed account with a sound legal basis would require official documents: a formal notification from Italy to the European Commission or the Council of the European Union under the Schengen Borders Code, a written press release from the Italian Interior Ministry giving an exclusive rationale, or an official statement from La Moncloaconfirming Feijóo’s attribution.
The editorial team does not currently have access to such primary sources. Conclusion: Feijóo’s statement can be substantiated as a political assessment by the opposition leader; without an official primary source, the alleged internal motive of the Italian government remains an attribution and is identified as such in the reporting.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).