Why did the Italian government pass a decree limiting the right to citizenship by descent? Who benefits from this change? And why did Giorgia Meloni, the hardline leader, silently accept a proposal from Antonio Tajani, her deputy prime minister?
Doubts arise after the publication of the Decree Law 36 / 2025, which alters the recognition of Italian citizenship. jure sanguinis (by blood). The new rule imposes restrictions based on place of birth and directly affects thousands of Italian descendants.
The proposal was put forward by Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and leader of Forza Italia, without consulting the other parties in government. The official argument is to combat fraud and relieve overburdened consulates.
The opposition, however, sees parallels with practices of the fascist regime. In the Mussolini era, rights were taken away based on race, faith or ideology. Now, the criteria are geographic, according to critics.
For the current government, part of the diaspora represents a threat.
Meloni, contrary to ius soli, would have avoided confronting Tajani so as not to lose support in Parliament. Forza Italia holds about 10% of the seats — enough to bring down the government. But to what extent is this silence strategic?
Neither Meloni nor Matteo Salvini (Lega) have commented on the decree, despite the impact on millions of consumers of “made in Italy”. They claim not to have participated in the drafting of the text. but they didn't try to stop him either.
Given the impasse, legal experts hope that the Constitutional Court will declare the measure unconstitutional. There are also discussions about a possible complaint to the European Court of Human Rights.
Governing means representing everyone. Denying rights based on place of birth harks back to dark times in Italy. The Judiciary must ensure respect for the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the mobilization continues. The struggle of the Italian descendants is both legal and political: remembering who proposed, who supported — and who remained silent.
