The Italian Chamber of Deputies approved on Wednesday (8) the urgency procedure to analyze a Lega bill that tightens the rules for acquiring and revoking the Italian citizenshipThe vote on the expedited procedure ended with 148 votes in favor, 99 against, and 2 abstentions.
The text creates new impediments to naturalization and expands the situations in which citizenship already granted can be revoked. With the declaration of urgency, the Constitutional Affairs Committee will have 30 days, not 60, to bring the bill to the plenary, with a deadline of August 8th.
What the project envisions
The bill addresses the citizenship of foreigners born in Italy who have legally resided in the country until the age of 18. Currently, such a person can become Italian by declaring this intention within one year of reaching the age of majority.
According to the proposal, convictions for serious crimes against persons or property and for drug trafficking will suspend naturalization until the rehabilitation process is completed. If there is a criminal case underway at the time of the application, the acquisition is not denied, but it is suspended.
In the case of repeal, currently only possible in situations of terrorism and subversion, the text includes homicide, female genital mutilation, human trafficking, and sexual violence against minors and groups.
Reactions
“Today, in the case of minors, there are no impediments,” stated Riccardo Molinari, leader of the Lega in the Chamber, when presenting the text. The party leader, Matteo Salvini, celebrated on social media: “Others talk, the Lega acts.”
The proposal will still face debate in committees before any final vote. Also on Wednesday, the Fratelli d'Italia party presented a separate proposal on the repatriation of convicted immigrants.
The proposal does not change the recognition of citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis), which follows its own rules and has been affected by recent changes to Tajani Decree. (With information from Il Giornale)
Liliane Ivina Costa
9 July 2026 15 at: 02
Completely in favor.
Rafael
12 July 2026 18 at: 20
What good does that do? None! First, they let millions in. Then – obviously – those people would have children.
Italy takes 18 years to grant citizenship, delaying the lives of these people, who then become problems for Italy itself. It's over. They are Italian citizens. Waiting 18 years to grant citizenship? Then they don't understand why these young people cheer for Morocco during the World Cup.
Now, this is a project that in practice only further delays citizenship and does not solve the problem.
The question is:
So many people couldn't have made it.
We need to stop more people from arriving.
To regularize the situation of those who, in practice, are Italian, whether they like it or not.
Solve crime with strict laws, not by applying bureaucracy.
Finally, just another law from this weak government that pretends to do something, while never actually doing anything.