Matteo Salvini

Carola Rackete speaks to reporters on her ship

German captain becomes anti-populist heroine in Italy migrant standoff

Refugees

After two weeks at sea, the dreadlocked 31-year-old captain, Carola Rackete, has become a symbol of defiance for challenging the authority of minister Matteo Salvini, known as “Il Capitano” at home for closing ports to non-government rescue ships.

refugees are rescued on the Mediterranean Sea

After turning away rescued migrants, Italy’s far-right claim ‘victory’ when Spain opens port

Immigration
Carlo Cottarelli arrives for a meeting with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella walk next to each other

Has the Italian establishment gone too far in its bid to stop the populists from taking Rome?

Global Politics