For the first time since the decree limiting Italian citizenship by descent became law on May 20, 2025, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke publicly on the topic.
The speeches took place during the newspaper's 25th anniversary event Free newspaper, mediated by director Mario Sechi.
“Recently, as you know, we approved a bill in the Council of Ministers to curb abuses in the field of jus sanguinis, that is, those who invented Italian origins in order to obtain citizenship, because we believe that granting citizenship is a serious matter and should be reserved for those who have an authentic link with our nation.”
According to Meloni, citizenship should only be granted to those who have an “authentic bond with our nation”.
She added: “Then, obviously, if Parliament wants to discuss common sense solutions, for example to improve the rigidities surrounding the application for citizenship by those who turn 18 and have that right, I will evaluate it without prejudice, I am a person of common sense. But on the rest I have very clear ideas and I would add that I am very happy to be in the same line as the overwhelming majority of Italians,” she said, in this case referring to citizenship by naturalization.
Meloni also stated: “As we always talk about democracy, I think we should all have a little humility to deal with what the overwhelming majority of Italians think. Therefore, not only do I think that Parliament should not change the law, but I also hope that no one presents a proposal of this kind, because that would mean completely disregarding the wishes of those you are supposed to represent.”
According to legal experts and constitutional law experts, the government is supporting the decree based on a discourse that is considered fallacious, based on specific cases and taken out of context. The strategy, according to these sources, aims to justify the restriction of a right that has been recognized for decades.
Like his deputy prime minister, Meloni adopts a narrative that ignores the principle of equality provided for in the Constitution. Antonio Tajani uses controversial examples, such as the alleged sale of citizenship in “Black Friday” campaigns or cases of corruption — involving structures of the Italian state itself.
One of the episodes used as justification to curb citizenship applications, ironically, involves the consulate Italian in Venezuela accused of irregularly granting citizenship to five members of the Hezbollah group. The case remains under investigation.
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