A group of city councillors in Belluno have proposed creating a consortium of municipalities in the province to lobby the Italian government for changes to the law on citizenship by descent. The proposal will be debated on March 31 during a city council session.
The initiative comes from councilors Anna Candeago, Giangiacomo Nicolini, Marco Perale, Ilenia Bavasso, Riccardo Samaria and Jacopo Massaro. They request that the mayor of Belluno, Oscar De Pellegrin, lead the articulation with other city halls.
The group claims that local offices are overwhelmed with applications for citizenship iure sanguinis – right of blood – made by descendants, especially Brazilians.
According to the document, the current structure is insufficient. Even with the charging of administrative fees, which vary between 300 and 600 Euros, the lack of personnel makes it difficult to carry out processes.
Pressure for changes in the law
The councilors also want the mayor to intercede with the government to revoke a circular from the Ministry of the Interior that, according to them, creates uncertainty about the verification of the habitual residence of applicants.
Furthermore, they propose that the agenda be sent to other municipalities, Province of Belluno (69 municipalities), to Anci Veneto and the Veneto Region. The aim is to form a broad front to press for changes to law 91/1992.
One of the proposals is to create a generational limit for the recognition of citizenship, restricting transmission to the closest descendants. They also suggest excluding voters abroad who do not vote from the municipal electoral quorum.
Mayor of Zoldo supports the measure
Camillo De Pellegrin, mayor of Val di Zoldo and an activist for the review of citizenship by descent, praised the proposal. “Congratulations to the municipality of Belluno. This is a necessary action at a crucial moment,” he said.
According to De Pellegrin, the current model has turned Italian citizenship into a "market commodity." He advocates for urgent reform to prevent abuses and ensure that the connection to Italy is authentic.
“Citizenship is a value, not a negotiable asset. We need to protect the real meaning of this right,” he concluded.
