In principle, the proposal does not change the rules for recognizing citizenship by blood right
Italy's Chamber of Deputies begins discussing this week a bill that would make it easier to grant Italian citizenship for children of immigrants.
The proposal was presented at the end of 2018 by deputy Laura Boldrini, from the center-left Democratic Party (PD), which replaced the far-right League, in the government coalition with the populist 5-Star Movement (M5S).
Recognition of citizenship in countries usually follows the principles of “jus soli” (right of territory) or “jus sanguinis” (right of blood). The latter is the system in force in Italy, but Boldrini's project envisages the creation of a model called “jus culturae” (right to culture).
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The objective is to grant citizenship to children and adolescents who are children of immigrants in a regular situation and who were born in Italy or arrived in the country before reaching the age of 12.
To do so, however, candidates would have to complete at least five academic years in Italian schools.
In other words, the foreigner would have to prove a certain level of integration and knowledge of Italian culture. The “ius culturae” was already foreseen in a project presented by the PD in the previous legislature to introduce the principle of “jus soli” in the country, but the initiative ended up being blocked by resistance from the opposition, especially from extreme right-wing parties.
The new text will enter the agenda of the Constitution Committee of the Chamber of Deputies next Thursday (3).
“We are still at the beginning, but I believe we can work to introduce jus culturae. We need a discussion that puts aside propaganda and false myths and looks reality in the face, giving a positive signal to those who want to integrate”, said the president of the committee, Giuseppe Brescia (M5S).
The Five Star Movement opposed the PD's Italian citizenship bill in the previous legislature, but is now expected to support the measure. In his speech to Parliament requesting a vote of confidence in the government, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had already defended the need for a review of the current law.
Boldrini's proposal does not change the rules for recognizing citizenship by blood right. Currently, children of immigrants can only become Italian citizens upon turning 18 and as long as they have lived uninterruptedly in the country since birth.
It is estimated that one in 10 students in Italian schools is the child of immigrants, forming an army of hundreds of thousands of children without citizenship. Protests – The jus culturae project is already mobilizing far-right parties in Italy, which promise to react to prevent its approval.
“On Thursday, we will be in front of Parliament collecting signatures to tell the President of the Republic to stop this massacre,” said Giorgia Meloni, president of the Brothers of Italy (FDI) party, which pays homage to the extinct fascist party Social Movement on its badge. Italian (MSI).
Former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, promised that he will fight “against jus soli, regardless of what they call it”. “If this is the government’s priority, poor Italy,” he declared.
Ansa Agency
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