About the city

Palermo

The open harbour city challenging European migration politics

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Palermo shows how influential cities can be where the political will exists: The city has repeatedly criticised both EU and national approaches to migration, capitalising on all the political weight that a city administration has as its disposal.

  • 2

    Palermo demonstrates the importance of having multiple actors engaged in the dialogue about migrant-oriented solidarity, from grassroots initiatives to city administration. Constructive criticism, and even confrontation, strengthens both local practices and those across various locations.

What is unique about the city?

Overcoming the European border regime: Palermo is committed to fighting for a radical change in EU and national border policies, with a particular focus on maritime migration and search and rescue (SAR) activities in the Mediterranean Sea.

What are the key factors?

Grassroots activism meets a gutsy mayor: Refugee-oriented solidarity in Palermo is the result of a mix of grassroots activism, civil society and institutions. The city’s far-reaching reputation is closely bound up with the former Mayor Leoluca’s agenda and political capital. By repeatedly declaring the city’s openness – practically branding it as a “migration friendly” city – the mayor has succeeded in casting the city in a progressive light. This new image has met with great interest from abroad, playing as it does on the contrast between its historical reputation as a mafia city and its present-day reputation as a city of rights and solidarity. Orlando (1985 - 2000, 2012 - 2022) did not run again in the mayoral election in June 2022 and retired. The mayor's post has since been taken over by the controversial Roberto Lagalla (Unione di Centro, Christian Democratic Party) in a right-wing coalition that has always sharply criticised Orlando's progressive migration policy.

What are the most outstanding results so far?

A European forerunner of alternative policies: Building on the city administration’s commitment and the credibility of its grassroots initiatives, Palermo has become increasingly visible across Europe and has set an example for the possibilities of a new migration and border politics at the EU level. The city of Palermo has successfully shaped an EU-wide counternarrative to, and political discussion of, both EU and national migration policies. The Charter of Palermo and the ‘International Alliance of Safe Harbours’ are two of the most significant initiatives in this regard. Unfortunately, the change of municipal government from Orlando to Lagalla in June 2022 resulted in the city disengaging from the most progressive networks on migration, such as the International Alliance of Safe Harbours.

Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level

Advocacy and active resistance are not mere rhetoric in Palermo. They have brought about important changes in the political positioning of municipalities and further promoted networking and cooperation across Europe. The “Palermo Charter Platform Process”, and its most recent initiative “From the Sea to the City”, are particularly important, insofar as they capitalise on this advocacy work, both in practical and symbolic terms. The cooperation with other cities has also been a key component in its lobbying efforts, and will continue to be important in the future for the network of solidarity cities opposing exclusionary EU migration policies.

Member of the following networks

Download the full city report

The city report contains more information about the city’s migration and inclusion policies and selected local approaches. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.

Download Report