Meloni plans ECHR reform to tackle migration

Italian PM says crisis has outgrown international laws written for a different era

James Crisp Europe Editor. Joe Barnes Brussels Correspondent


23 October 2025 1:54pm BST

Giorgia Meloni is driving a push in the EU to transform migration laws - Remo Casilli/Reuters


Giorgia Meloni has told EU leaders to prepare for a first political debate on reforming the European Convention on Human Rights in the “coming months”, in what would be a major step forward towards changing the international rules on migration.

The Italian prime minister spoke to heads of state and government before a European Council summit meeting in Brussels on Thursday morning.

The Telegraph understands she set out a plan to reform the ECHR so that it can meet modern-day challenges over illegal immigration, such as people smuggling gangs.

It should lead to a first political debate on reforms in the Council of Europe, which is based in Strasbourg and is not an EU body but a larger human rights watchdog.

António Costa - President of the European Council

His Excellency António Costa GCC GCIH
Official portrait, 2024
President of the European Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 December 2024
Preceded by	Charles Michel
Prime Minister of Portugal
In office 26 November 2015 – 2 April 2024
President	Aníbal Cavaco Silva Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Preceded by	Pedro Passos Coelho
Succeeded by	Luís Montenegro
Secretary-General of the Socialist Party
In office 22 November 2014 – 7 January 2024
President	Carlos César
Deputy	Ana Catarina Mendes José Luís Carneiro João Torres
Preceded by	António José Seguro
Succeeded by	Pedro Nuno Santos
Leader of the Opposition
In office 22 November 2014 – 26 November 2015
Prime Minister	Pedro Passos Coelho
Preceded by	António José Seguro
Succeeded by	Pedro Passos Coelho
Mayor of Lisbon
In office 1 August 2007 – 6 April 2015
Preceded by	Carmona Rodrigues
Succeeded by	Fernando Medina
Minister of Internal Administration
In office 12 March 2005 – 17 May 2007
Prime Minister	José Sócrates
Preceded by	Daniel Sanches
Succeeded by	Rui Pereira
Minister of Justice
In office 25 October 1999 – 6 April 2002
Prime Minister	António Guterres
Preceded by	José Vera Jardim
Succeeded by	Celeste Cardona
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
In office 27 November 1997 – 25 October 1999
Prime Minister	António Guterres
Preceded by	António Couto dos Santos
Succeeded by	Luís Marques Mendes
Member of the Assembly of the Republic[1][2]
In office 23 October 2015 – 26 March 2024
Constituency	Lisbon
In office 5 April 2002 – 9 March 2005
Constituency	Leiria
In office 4 November 1991 – 26 October 1995
Constituency	Lisbon
Member of the European Parliament
In office 20 July 2004 – 11 March 2005
Constituency	Portugal
Personal details
Born	António Luís Santos da Costa 17 July 1961 (age 63) Lisbon, Portugal
Political party	Socialist (since 1975)
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Spouse	Fernanda Tadeu   ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	2
Parents	Orlando da Costa (father) Maria Antónia Palla (mother)
Alma mater	University of Lisbon
Signature
Website	portugal.gov.pt/pm
Military service
Allegiance	Portugal
Branch/service	Portuguese Army

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