Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized what she described as 'ideological left', referring to a ruling by a judge in Catania who characterized the recent government decree aimed at expediting deportations of migrants as 'illegal in several parts', particularly the requirement for asylum seekers to pay 5000 euros if they do not wish to remain in detention centers until the outcome of their appeal against their application denial.

On Monday, Meloni said in a Facebook post, ''We are facing unprecedented migration pressures due to instability in vast areas of Africa and the Middle East. The Italian government is working every day to address this situation and combat illegal mass migration.''

She also added, ''We are doing this seriously at all levels: engaging other European countries and signing agreements with African nations to stop the boats from leaving and dismantling the human trafficking networks. And with sound legal measures to facilitate the expulsion of those who do not have the right to stay.''

The Prime Minister stated that it is ''a difficult task, of course, but it can lead to tangible results with patience and determination.''

Continuing, in reference to Germany’s support for non-governmental organizations active in rescue and reception, she noted, ''Of course, everything becomes much more difficult if other countries simultaneously work in the completely opposite direction, especially if part of Italy does everything it can to favor irregular migration.''

She added, ''I am not just talking here about the ideological left and that circle which has its material interests in reception. I was stunned by the ruling from the Catania judge, who for unbelievable reasons released an irregular migrant who had already received a deportation order and unilaterally proclaimed that Tunisia is an unsafe country (which is not the judiciary's responsibility) and attacked measures taken by a democratically elected government.''