A proposal presented by the Italian government on Friday, March 28, provoked a strong international reaction. Decree-Law No. 36 restricts the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, limiting the right only to children and direct grandchildren of Italians.
The measure impacts millions of people of Italian descent, especially in South America and the United States. Official estimates indicate that around six million Italians live abroad, most of them descendants of immigrants.
Prime Minister Profiles Giorgia Meloni and his deputy prime ministers, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, have been the target of criticism on social media from users in defense of Italian descendants.
The decree was also contested by newspapers, associations and personalities linked to the Italian community, who classify it as exclusionary and harmful.
In the United States
Political commentator Joey Mannarino, former host of the show YourVoice America and Italian-American, was one of the first to speak out:
“It makes no sense that the Italian government has chosen to impose strict restrictions on those seeking citizenship through legitimate Italian descent,” it posted. on your X profile (former Twitter).
Mannarino also questioned the contradiction between limiting the rights of descendants and, at the same time, maintaining a migration policy open to immigrants from other regions.
In Brazil
In Brazil, presenter and businessman Marcelo de Carvalho, owner of RedeTV!, has positioned himself as an activist for the Italian-Brazilian cause. According to him, hundreds of people have approached him asking for clarification on the new rule.
“This measure creates some very clear problems. You are creating two categories of Italians: one who lives in Italy and one who is second class, who lives abroad. This is absurd,” he said in a statement. video published on Instagram.
Carvalho also criticized the economic impact of the proposal: “Italy, with a population decline problem, is missing the chance to attract a highly qualified population.” For him, the government should prioritize integration, not exclusion.
international mobilization
Civil entities and politicians are organizing motions of repudiation and petitions that will be filed with the Italian Parliament, with requests for the revocation of the decree and the preservation of the rights of descendants.
The former deputy Luis Roberto Lorenzato is one of the politicians who is expected to present a motion this week. “It is unacceptable that a normative act, which should only be used in urgent situations, is applied to delegitimize the Italian identity passed down from generation to generation. This decision not only disrespects Italian citizens abroad, but also ignores fundamental principles of the Italian legal system, which guarantee the equality of all citizens and the freedom to emigrate,” he said.
One of the virtual petition created on Saturday has already surpassed 35 thousand signatures in just over 24 hours.
The Italian Parliament is expected to debate the decree in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Italian-descendant communities around the world continue to mobilize in defense of their historic rights.
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