Congressman Fabio Porta gave a strong speech in the Italian Chamber of Deputies this Friday (20) against changes to the 2025 Budget Law that negatively impact Italians abroad.
Porta described the proposal as “punitive” and “vexatious.” Among the controversial measures is the increase in the fee for citizenship applications based on blood rights (jus sanguinis). Currently set at 545 euros (around R$3,5), the fee will increase to 600 euros (R$3,8) per applicant, including for minor children.
Furthermore, processes carried out directly in Italian municipalities — the so-called administrative route — will also incur the same charge, which has generated concern among Italian-descendant communities abroad.
Fabio Porta criticized the lack of attention to the Italian diaspora, highlighting the financial impact on families and communities. “I have been in this Chamber for several years and I can assure you that, since there have been representatives of the Italian communities abroad elected in Parliament, never has a budget law been so punitive and vexatious against Italians in the world,” he said.
The parliamentarian concluded: “This budget law is a classic example of when politics does not do its job well.”
Despite the outrage, the proposal was approved in the Chamber on 204 favorable votes and 110 against and now goes to the Senate. If confirmed next week, it will come into effect on January 1st.
The government led by Giorgia Meloni, which has a large majority, defends the budget as a measure to ensure fiscal responsibility. For Fabio Porta, the proposal has a “99,9% chance of approval in the Senate”.
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