Friendly fire. Nello Gargiulo, advisor to the General Committee of Italians Abroad (CGIE) in Chile, wrote to the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani (president of the CGIE), proposing changes to the citizenship system “ius sanguinis”.
In his letter, Gargiulo — who theoretically defends the Italian community abroad — suggested that Italian citizenship be recognized only to those who demonstrate “competence in the Italian language and culture”, indicating that this would avoid “the deviation of Italianness” among descendants.
Gargiulo points out that many descendants of Italians in Chile, estimated at between 400 and 500 — of which almost 80 are already recognized — do not speak Italian or have any knowledge of the country’s culture. “Most applicants have no competence whatsoever in the Italian language or civic culture,” the counselor highlights.
He points out that the process of reconstructing multi-generational family trees generates an “overload of work and consumption of resources” in Italian consulates.
According to Gargiulo, recognition of citizenship should be “linked to knowledge of the Italian language and civic culture,” as is the case for those who acquire citizenship through marriage. “In this way, we could recognize new citizens and voters who are aware, responsible and informed about Italianness,” he argues.
“The phenomenon undoubtedly needs to be disciplined,” he concludes in the letter.
FOLLOW-US
