The imaginary invasion: as the discourse on the “refugee crisis” has impacted on Italian politics and society

Italy is a significant case in the European landscape of refugee policies for two main reasons. First, it has faced the so-called “refugee crisis” with growing difficulties and anxiety. The establishment of the “hotspots”, as required by the EU has been a turning point, also because the enactment of tighter controls at the Alpine borders by the neighbouring states followed the new regulation. The Italian government was compelled to abandon its traditional, albeit implicit, policy of allowing the transit of the asylum seekers towards North-Western Europe. The second aspect concerns the cultural and political consequences of this unexpected entanglement in the refugee issue. Most Italians were convinced that they were being invaded by asylum seekers coming from Africa by sea. Anti-establishment and xenophobic political forces reached a wide audience, spreading fears and accusations against asylum seekers, the NGOs rescuing them, and the cooperatives providing reception services. This hardening of asylum policies appears to be supported by the majority of Italian citizens at present, according to several polls. The xenophobic League, after shifting to a far-right position, experienced a sharp increase in virtual preferences by the interviewees (more than 30 per cent at present), and its leader Mr. Salvini enjoys much popularity, even if he recently lost the Ministry of Home Affairs. This trend, however, does not go without opposition. Civil society is at the forefront, developing manifold activities in favour of refugees, ranging from political protest to the provision of services. The restrictions enacted by the State indeed are giving more space to alternative providers of services. Furthermore, the radicalisation of the struggle on asylum and migration policies is giving a political meaning also to ordinary actions of help and support.