A joint statement asserts that the rule approved by Parliament disrespects the historical and cultural values of Italian citizenship.
The Swiss Committees — representative committees of Italians abroad based in Basel, Zurich, Geneva, Ticino, Bern, Lausanne and San Gallo — have expressed firm opposition to the new Italian legislation that changes the rules for the recognition of citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis).
The position was released this Wednesday, July 16, through an official note from Intercomites, signed by Michele Scala, coordinator in the country.
According to the Aise agency, the criticism focuses especially on Article 3-bis of Law No. 74 of 2025The bill, recently approved by the Italian Parliament, imposes severe restrictions on children and grandchildren of Italians residing abroad from obtaining Italian citizenship.
According to the Committees, the measure was approved without dialogue with democratic representatives of the diaspora. They consider it an "exclusionary, punitive, and potentially unconstitutional law" that threatens historically established rights.
The new rule primarily impacts people born outside Italy, imposing new administrative requirements and restricting citizenship recognition in cases of dual citizenship. "It is a rule that weakens the bond with Italy, rather than strengthening it," the document states.
The committees also warn of possible violations of Italian constitutional principles, such as equality (Article 3), solidarity (Article 2), and democratic participation (Articles 9 and 18). The exclusion of representatives of the Italian community from the legislative process, such as the Committees themselves and the CGIE (General Council of Italians Abroad), has also been harshly criticized.
“The millions of Italians around the world who maintain a strong connection with their country of origin cannot be treated as second-class citizens,” the text states.
In conclusion, the Swiss Committees reaffirm their commitment to defending the civil, social and cultural rights of Italian communities abroad and to a citizenship “that unites, not divides.”
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