Two weeks after signing the draft law, Berlusconi appears to be having second thoughts, and is now making a distinction between the illegal presence of foreigners and their eventual criminal behaviour.
"Personally, I don't think you can prosecute someone for their illegal presence in our country, but their status should be considered an aggravating circumstance if they commit a crime," he said, quoted by Euronews.
But Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said he was surprised by his Prime Minister's statement.
"The law is already in force, it considers illegal migration a crime, it has been approved two weeks ago by the Government with unanimity and bears Berlusconi's signature," Maroni said, quoted by RAI. He added that he was not going to change his personal opinion over the need to criminalise foreigners' illegal stays.
The act of the Italian Government represents an "immediately applicable law" which is already in force, but needs to be endorsed by the Parliament within 60 days.
A conflict between Romania and Italy over the crackdown on Roma camps on the peninsula prompted a heated debate in the European Parliament (EurActiv 20/05/08) In the Romanian capital Bucharest, people from the Roma community yesterday gathered outside the Italian embassy, protesting against the situation of Roma people in Italy.
