Italians living abroad will soon be able to apply for Electronic Identity Card (CIE) in any Italian comune, even without residency in the country. The proposal, championed by Congressman Fabio Porta (Democratic Party), was celebrated as a victory for the opposition in Parliament.
According to the parliamentarian elected by South America, the measure represents progress for Italian communities outside Italy, which face long waits and limitations at consulates.
"While the Italian government, the majority of which supports Meloni, Salvini, and Tajani, wants to turn Italians abroad into second-, third-, or fourth-class citizens, we achieved a result that benefits our communities," the deputy declared.
Currently, some consulates already offer CIE applications. With the new regulation, this option will be extended to any Italian municipality, streamlining the process for those traveling to Italy and wishing to regularize their documentation.
Porta criticized the current government's stance, which, according to him, imposes cuts and restrictive policies that negatively affect services aimed at Italians around the world.
"Despite the restrictive policies, the cuts, and the difficulty this government has in connecting with the great wealth that Italians represent in the world, we in the Democratic Party stand with those who work, those who work abroad, and those who have made so many sacrifices for our country," he added.
The amendment on the CIE was approved in the Chamber as part of DDL 2369, which deals with the centralization of consular services in Roma. It is expected to be approved in the plenary this month and in the Senate in the coming weeks. The process is not expected to take long.
