Italian senator and former prime minister Matteo Renzi visited the Gjadër migrant camp in Albania on Wednesday, where he strongly criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s handling of the project. Renzi described the creation of the migrant centers in Gjadër and Shëngjin as political propaganda, claiming they cost Italian taxpayers nearly €1 billion—money he says could have gone toward pensions and salary increases.

“What’s being said in Italy is fake news—this is the reality,” said Renzi. “Giorgia Meloni is a very skilled influencer who continues to use this narrative surrounding the migrant center. But with these statements, she has effectively opened the doors to more migrants.”

Renzi stressed that his criticism is not about political ideology: “This has nothing to do with left or right. I look at budget issues. Here, the Italian state has lost nearly €1 billion from taxpayers. In my opinion, that money should have gone to pensions and public sector wages.”

He concluded with a clear message: “With propaganda, politics gains consensus—but the people lose money. And that money belongs to the Italian citizens.”