Page 43 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine December 2024

bne December 2024 Southeast Europe I 43
Musk, responding to a post on X by Mario Nawfal, a prominent social media figure, added his voice to the growing criti-
cism of Italy’s judiciary from rightwing politicians within the country. As of early afternoon on November 12, the post had racked up almost 200,000 views.
The move is the latest instance of Musk commenting on immigration policies, having previously aligned himself with other conservative and nationalist lead- ers, most notably US president-elect Donald Trump.
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime min- ister, called the judges’ rulings “political”, adding, “This is not a sentence against the government but against Italians and their security”. Salvini and other Italian officials argue that the court’s decision undermines the government’s right
to manage migration within the EU’s framework.
The Albanian scheme was launched in October with the potential to process up to 3,000 male migrants per month, adding up to as many as 36,000 a year. Vulnerable individuals, women, and children are processed within Italy.
However legal challenges have hindered its implementation, and Italy’s govern- ment under Giorgia Meloni, which has described the deal with Albania as a potential model for the EU, has faced increasing pushback from Italian courts over its migration policies.
Only 24 migrants have been transferred to Albania since the scheme began, and all have since been ordered to be returned to Italy.
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania has defended the plan, emphasising Alba- nia’s role in aiding EU migration efforts and, like Meloni, describing the deal
as a possible model for other European countries.
Italy is a key trading partner for Albania, and Rome’s support is seen as critical as Tirana pursues EU accession. However, the deal has also met with criticism within Albania, having been challenged by opposition parties.
Russian consulate that was closed for espionage continues to work secretly in Bulgaria's Varna
Denitsa Koseva in Sofia
A Russian consulate in the Bulgarian city of Varna, which was closed by the authorities for espionage in 2022, is still operating secretly at the premises of the pro-Russian Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Dnevnik news outlet reported on November 14.
In June 2022, Bulgaria declared 70 Russians working for diplomatic representations in the country personae non grata, including almost the whole personnel of the Varna consulate. The decision was taken based on three reports by the national security agency (DANS).
Dnevnik noted that evidence of the consulate’s illegal operations were numerous posts on social media and on chats, which show that Russian citizens who are also spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda on their Facebook profiles are aiding the consulate.
The local organisation of the BSP has provided its office to the consulate to continue its work unofficially.
Dnevnik published an example of secret operations in Varna. A Facebook user asked on October 21 in a group of Russian-speaking citizens living in Varna a question on how to register online for getting documents by the Russian consulate. The user received a response from another user that the next day there would be a consular reception in Varna and left information for a contact person – Marina Nacheva, leader of the Russian Club in Varna.
Another post provides the exact address where the consulate operates and information that this is the BSP’s building, as well as a WhatsApp channel for registration for consular services.
An explanation provided by another contact person of the Russian consulate, Luiza, said that Russian diplomats visit Varna to provide passport services and help retired Russians. She also said that the BSP’s building is the only place this can happen for the moment.
Prior to the 2022 expulsion of Russian diplomats, for 32 years the Varna consulate used a Bulgarian state property, but for most of the time, until 2009, it had not paid any rent as there was no signed contract.
Dnevnik also reported that, according to unconfirmed information the Russian embassy has been viewing private properties in Varna, seeking to hire premises and restore its activity in the city.
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