The Italian Senate approved this Thursday (21) an innovative law that seeks to solve the problems of delays in issuing passports at consulates.
The measure, initially proposed in 2016 by deputy Fabio Porta (PD), allocates a initial fund 4 million euros to modernize and streamline consular services, benefiting the almost seven million Italians living abroad.
“Just like the resources aimed at citizenship, once again Italians abroad demonstrate that they are not a problem, but the solution for improving consular services and for various other development and growth policies for the country,” Porta highlighted.
An unprecedented achievement for Italian expatriates
This is the first time that a law aimed exclusively at Italians living abroad has been approved through an ordinary procedure in the Italian Parliament, reinforcing the importance and seriousness of the initiative.
The proposal received unanimous support and represents a significant step forward, especially with regard to the issuance of passports, a service often marked by delays and operational difficulties.
Senator Alessandro Alfieri (PD) highlighted that the law brings a productivity criterion to public administration, by allocating part of the resources obtained from issuing passports directly to consulates.
According to him, this measure aims to improve service and reduce long queues, a chronic problem faced by many Italian citizens abroad.
Political unity to benefit 7 million citizens
The unanimous approval by Parliament demonstrates that the measure is not a partisan victory, but rather a national commitment to the so-called “21st region of Italy”, formed by more than 7 million expatriate Italians.
“This law sends a strong message of unity and reaffirms the role of expatriates as first class citizens, an integral part of the national community”, stated Alfieri.
Commitment to concrete results
Fabio Porta assured that it will carry out rigorous monitoring to ensure that the resources are used exclusively to improve consular services.
He highlighted that the measure also seeks to combat the precariousness of work in consulates and strengthen a consular network that is currently insufficient to meet demand.
Porta took the opportunity to criticize the Meloni government, which announced cuts of 22 million euros in consular services over the next three years and the end of benefits such as pension adjustments and compensation for unemployed Italians abroad.
“While the Meloni government cuts resources and compromises rights, the PD maintains its commitment to our compatriots, offering new resources and serious and credible initiatives. Facts, not words,” Porta said in a statement to the portal. Italianism.
