With one primary strategy, Italy has decreased the number of migrant boats that arrive in the nation. The number of North African refugees and illegal immigrants has been reduced by more than half under Giorgia Meloni's financial assistance.Two years prior, Meloni was elected prime minister on a platform of halting the influx of boats carrying refugees. To prevent migrant boats from leaving their beaches, the prime minister has given money to countries in North Africa, such as Libya and Tunisia.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.