In an interview with Alphaville podcast, Swiss State Radio (SSR), this Wednesday (11), the sociologist Sandro Cattacin, professor at the University of Geneva, harshly criticized decree-law no. 36 of 2025 – converted into law –, which restricts the automatic right to Italian citizenship by descent.
For him, the measure represents an attack on the identity of millions of Italian descendants around the world.
“Saying whether you feel more Swiss or Italian in discussions that have nothing but terrorism behind them, identity terrorism, to put it bluntly. I think this change can create a lot of suffering and a lot of difficulties,” he said.
With the new text, children of parents with dual citizenship no longer automatically inherit the Italian citizenship. It will be necessary to prove that at least one of the grandparents had exclusive Italian citizenship.
Switzerland: among the most affected countries
Switzerland is one of the countries with the highest proportion of Italians with dual citizenship: More than 60% of the Italian-Swiss community holds both passports. For Cattacin, the impact will be direct and painful. “People who lived their dual identity with serenity now find themselves forced to justify who they are,” he told RSI.
“Discussing whether you feel more Swiss or Italian, when it shouldn’t matter, is identity terrorism,” he said. According to him, the new norm breaks a process of integration built over generations.
A symbolic loss
The professor highlights that the Italian citizenship has value far beyond the legal: “It is recognition, belonging, personal security. Taking that away is questioning an entire family and cultural trajectory.”
The measure, according to him, disregards the role of the diaspora in the construction of what is now known as Italianness in the world. “Instead of integrating, we are isolating. Instead of valuing, we are excluding.”
Door closing
Cattacin sees the decree as a reflection of a broader ideological trend that favors closed identities. “We are closing doors in a world that demands more openness. Coexistence between cultures must be strengthened, not denied.”
At the end of his speech, the sociologist stated that this change represents more than a legal issue. “It is a political gesture with emotional, social and historical consequences. A trauma that can mark generations.”
Also invited to the program, the Italian deputy Tony Ricciardi (PD) He stated that the new legislation imposes bureaucratic obstacles, violates the Constitution and disrespects the legacy of Italians who emigrated over the last two centuries.
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