Italian descendants gathered this Saturday, May 3, at Campidoglio squarein Rome, to protest against the decree-law that restricts the right to Italian citizenship by descent, the so-called jus sanguinis — Latin expression meaning “right of blood”.
The demonstration was attended by Italian-Brazilians, Italian-Argentines and Italian-Venezuelans, all against the new rule approved on March 28. Although it is already in force, the rule needs to be ratified by the Italian Parliament by the end of May to become definitive.
• Cases affected by the decree
• Delays at the town hall and consulate
• Customized legal strategy
A new legislation limits automatic recognition of citizenship only for those whose father or grandfather was born in Italy. Processes already initiated will not be affected. The proposal also provides for the possibility of recognition for those whose father is an Italian citizen who has lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the birth or adoption of the child.
According to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, the aim is to contain the high number of requests, mainly from South America.
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The event in the Italian capital was laden with symbolism. On the steps of the Campidoglio, the seat of Rome's city hall, protesters unfurled a large panel of historical photos of Italian immigrant families, which was later covered with black paint in protest against the erasure of these histories.
Posters displayed phrases such as: “L'Italia flows in our city” (“Italy runs in our veins”), “We want our rights” and “Blood cannot erase history”. Flags from several Latin American countries expressed the unity of communities of Italian descent against the proposal.
Antonio Iachini, coordinator of MAIE, was present; Franco Tirelli, deputy of MAIE; the representative of Fabio Porta, from the Democratic Party (PD); and Luigi Scaglione, member of the executive of the CIM (Comitato degli Italiani nel Mondo).
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