Despite Giorgia Meloni's electoral promises, the Central Mediterranean will see a considerable increase in irregular migration in 2023. This is the observation made by the director of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
According to Hans Leijtens, smugglers on the Libyan and Tunisian coasts have a new and much more aggressive business model. The first quarter of 2023 is the deadliest since 2017 with 441 deaths, according to United Nations figures. The increase is particularly noticeable from the Tunisian coast: 1,100% more than last year at the same time.