ROME – Lombardy governor Roberto Maroni, has told his region’s prefects to refuse to accept any further migrant relocation until the government provides a “fairer solution” to the current problem. His comments have come after a united EU effort rescued 5,400 migrants, from 15 ships in the Mediterranean, on Saturday and Sunday.

 Maroni, who served as interior minister in Silvio Berlusconi’s government and is a member of the anti-immigration Northern League party, commented that a huge number of immigrants had already arrived in Lombardy and it is unsustainable to continue to send more to the region.

 “Sending more immigrants to Lombardy is unthinkable without balancing the distribution first,” said Maroni in a letter. “We need temporary hosting solutions that guarantee conditions of actual lawfulness and security.”

 The Lombardy Governor isn’t the first high profile politician to speak out against the relocation of migrants. Up to a total of 40,000 migrants are set to be offered permanent residency throughout EU member states and so far around 10 countries including France and Poland have registered their disapproval at the plans, which are designed to take the pressure off Italy and Greece.

 By contrast, when speaking to reporters following a G7 summit in Germany, Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, attacked Maroni and his fellow right-wing politicians, accusing them of undermining Italy’s attempts to deal with the crisis. According to reports by the BBC, the premier commented that it was difficult to ask for EU support "when certain regions in your own country say the problem has nothing to with them."

 According to estimates by the Italian Interior Ministry, following this weekend’s rescue operation, the total number of migrants who have made the crossing from North Africa to Italy has risen to over 50,000. Around 3,500 migrants were rescued on Saturday from 15 different ships, during the biggest operation of the crisis so far.

 The UK’s HMS Bulwark, which has made the headlines for saving over 700 people in recent weeks, was once again brought in on Sunday and rescued 1,000 migrants from the perilous waters of the Mediterranean. Swedish, Spanish, Italian, German and Maltese vessels also took part in the rescue, which formed a part of the wider EU Triton operation.