Anci Veneto, the regional branch of the National Association of Italian Municipalities, has appealed to the government for an urgent solution to the crisis affecting local administrations regarding applications for Italian citizenship by descent. The organization is requesting more financial and human resources to meet the growing demand.
The warning was reinforced by Emanuele Rapicavoli, director of the association, in light of the significant increase in lawsuits involving overburdened municipalities, particularly in Veneto, one of the regions that receives the most requests from Brazilians and other descendants of Italians.
“We are not against the recognition of citizenship, but rather against being the only ones to pay for the lack of organization in the system,” Rapicavoli told the newspaper Il Gazzettino.
Small municipalities under judicial pressure
The problem has worsened with decisions that impose short deadlines for completing procedures, even in cities with minimal infrastructure. In places like Val di Zoldo or Castagnaro, piles of documents accumulate awaiting analysis.
According to the mayors, many lawsuits are filed through specialized lawyers. who obtain favorable rulings and put pressure on administrationsIn some cases, the courts impose financial penalties that exceed the budgetary capacity of the municipalities.
A request for coordinated action from the State.
Anci Veneto advocates for joint action between the central government, the judiciary, and municipalities. The organization suggests the creation of special teams or the allocation of civil servants to assist in the most affected cities.
The fear is that the situation will affect national goals, such as meeting the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which relies on European resources.
"We want the government to understand that this is a structural problem, not a matter of ill will on the part of the municipalities," Rapicavoli emphasized.
The association argues that the current model transfers all the administrative and financial burden to the municipalities, while the right to citizenship is guaranteed by national law.
