The former Italian Minister of Interior, Marco Minetti, has warned of adverse impacts on the Libyan peace process if the elections proposed for 24 December do not go ahead.

Minetti, a leading member of the Italian Democratic Party, said in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt "If we don't act quickly, it will be difficult to hold elections in Libya on December 24, and if the elections do not take place, the stakes of fresh escalations would be very high."

He expressed concern about another "Syria" model, which according to Minetti, would be a heavy defeat for Europe. "There is the possibility of dividing Libya into Turkish and Russian spheres of influence," he explains.

Minetti, who is currently heading the Leonardo Group Foundation for Research in Europe, believes that the only way forward for Europe "first and foremost" is to introduce a charter for migration and economic development with Tunisia and Libya.

"We must move quickly, and the issue cannot be postponed," says Minetti. He also called on Libya and Tunisia to intensify the war against human traffickers.

Last Wednesday, the current Italian Minister of Interior, Luciana Lamorgese, emphasized the need to keep the electoral process on target.

At a security event in Italy, the minister underscored that the EU must partner with Libya immediately, warning of a new chapter of chaos If the vote does not take place as scheduled.