Italian President Sergio Mattarella issued a sharp rebuke to Elon Musk Wednesday after the incoming Trump administration adviser criticized Italian court rulings that blocked the government’s plan to process asylum-seekers in Albania.
“Italy is a great democratic country and knows how to take care of itself while respecting its Constitution,” Mattarella said through his spokesman, without directly naming Musk. “Anyone, particularly if as announced is about to assume an important role of government in a friendly and allied country, must respect its sovereignty.”
The clash erupted after Musk wrote on X that “these judges need to go” following a Rome court’s refusal to detain seven rescued migrants for processing in Albania. “This is unacceptable. Do the people of Italy live in a democracy or does an unelected autocracy make the decisions?” Musk added Wednesday.
The controversy surrounds Premier Giorgia Meloni’s flagship immigration policy, which would establish migrant processing centers in Albania at a cost of 670 million euros ($730 million) over five years. The courts have referred cases to the EU Court of Justice, effectively stalling the program’s implementation.
Musk, who has met with Meloni several times and is expected to lead Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, later attempted to defuse tensions. According to X representative Andrea Stroppa, Musk spoke with Meloni Wednesday and “expresses his respect” for Mattarella and the Italian Constitution while defending his right to free expression.
The Tesla CEO has previously sparked diplomatic tensions through social media posts, including disputes with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Brazilian judiciary officials, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Opposition parties argue the Albania project funds could better serve Italian-operated centers, while human rights groups contend outsourcing asylum processing violates international law. The facilities, which opened in October after construction delays, operate under Italian jurisdiction with Albanian security forces providing external protection.
