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Senate approves migrant decree

ROME – The Senate on Thursday approved new measures on migration set out in a government decree passed in the wake of the February 26 Cutro shipwreck and now before parliament for conversion into law.

The package, which includes controversial restrictions to Italy's protection regime for refugees and asylum seekers and measures aiming to counter irregular migration, was approved with 92 votes in favor and 64 against.

It will now go to the Lower House for final approval by May 10.

Interior Ministry Undersecretary Nicola Molteni of the right-wing League hailed the vote as an "excellent result", saying the centre-right coalition is now "stronger".

"We have approved a fundamental tool to counter trafficking and illegal immigration," Molteni said.

He added that the "important" restrictions on special protection for asylum seekers not deemed eligible for international protection are a "return to the logic of the Salvini decrees", referring to a clamp-down on protection introduced by League leader and then Interior Minister Matteo Salvini in 2018 and subsequently overturned by his successor Luciana Lamorgese in 2020. (ANSA)

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