Italy has reportedly stopped migrant boats from reaching the country with one main tactic.

Giorgia Meloni has used money to cut the number of illegal immigrants and refugees from North Africa by more than half, reports The Telegraph. 

Meloni was appointed Prime Minister two years ago and she was elected with the promise of stopping the arrival of boats transporting migrants.

The Prime Minister has provided money to parts of North Africa, including Tunisia and Libya, in order to stop migrant boats from leaving their shores.

But human rights groups have strongly criticised the agreement, with some claiming the deal with Tunisia was “blackmail”.

In October 2022, Meloni took office and numbers of migrants reaching Italian beaches were high.

By the end of that year, 105,000 migrants had reached Italian beaches, and in 2023, the influx was even higher at 157,000.

Meloni has reduced numbers, as by the end of 2024, 66,000 migrants had arrived.

“It came down to money,” said an EU migration policy adviser, reports The Telegraph. 

“There was also a lot of diplomatic pressure, as well as promises of other types of co-operation. But money was key.

“Stopping the boats on the beaches is the most effective way,” said the EU official. 

“Once they set out, there is not much you can do. You have a lot fewer options. The deals with Tunisia and Libya have proved to be very effective.”

Previously a deal had been agreed upon between the EU and Turkey which Meloni is said to have taken inspiration from.

In return for blocking refugees and migrants crossing by land and sea from Turkey to Greece, Ankara was given $6 billion (£5 million).

Meloni replicated this model, offering money to Tunisia and Libya with the involvement of the EU.

Tunisia and Libya received hundreds of millions of euros in aid, trade and investment in exchange for stopping migrant boats from leaving their shores.

The Tunisian coastguard has intercepted tens of thousands of migrants attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Italy.