New citizen expulsion policy proposal raised by Italy threatens the freedom of movement for EU nationals

According to articles in the Corriere della Sera and EUObserver, Roberto Maroni, the Italian interior minister announced to raise a proposal for EU citizen expulsion policy at the meeting of EU interior ministers on 6 September. Italy has said it intends to expel citizens from other EU states if they are not able to support themselves.

While the last attempt by Italy to expel or imprison economically inactive EU citizens based on an equally controversial decree was slammed down by the EU Commission's threat with legal action, the latest expulsion of Roma from France to Romania hasn't so far received any stern public criticism from the Commission. This is unsettling and has set a dangerous precedent which has apparently encouraged Italy to try and attack the freedom of movement within the EU.

Maroni who is a member of the anti-immigrant Northern League party, according to EurActiv said that the European Commission had denied Italy permission to expel citizens of other EU states who live solely off state benefits, but that he would resume lobbying and push for the change.

As you might know, MRN's latest publication focused on the practice of coercive expulsion of homeless East and Central European citizens under a new pilot scheme operated by the UKBA. This seems to be a similar practice and it now looks like more and more countries are operating (or thinking about it) some sort of programme, to expel EU citizens they deem do not fulfil certain requirements in order to exercise their residence rights.

You might want to read Don Flynn's blogs on the matter and read our Factsheet on expulsion of homeless EEA nationals. We will follow the news and keep you up-to-date.