Known for his controversial positions and activism against the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, the mayor Camillo De Pellegrin, from Val di Zoldo, in Veneto, claims to have received death threats from Brazil.
“You will be a dead man” was the phrase sent via social media, according to a newspaper report Il Gazzettino, a sort of informal spokesperson for the mayor. In another comment, De Pellegrin was reportedly called a “fascist.”
The newspaper reported that the mayor did not want to make an official statement, but confirmed to local authorities that he feels threatened.
Provocative gesture generated legal action
De Pellegrin is known for provoking Italian-Brazilians and enjoys a public confrontation. In 2024, he hoisted a Brazilian flag on the facade of Val di Zoldo’s town hall in protest against what he called the “citizenship industry.”
The gesture sparked outrage. Italian-American lawyer Luis Gustavo Scarpelli dos Santos Reis filed a lawsuit, accusing the mayor of insulting the Brazilian national flag and inciting discrimination.
Controversy and decree
The mayor is also identified as one of the architects of Decree-Law No. 36/2025, the so-called Tajani Decree. This law limited the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis (by blood) to two generations. Prior to this, Law No. 91 of 1992 allowed recognition without restriction of time or number of generations.
The measure had a strong impact, especially in Brazil, where millions of descendants of Italians live and were seeking recognition of citizenship.
Overloaded commune
With only 2.700 inhabitants, Val di Zoldo has been directly impacted by the high demand. According to the city government, around 600 processes are still awaiting completion. The mayor claims that the administrative structure has been overwhelmed by external requests, compromising local services.
A large part of these demands come from Brazil, a country that received mass migrations from the Veneto region between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
Judgment in sight
The Italian Constitutional Court will analyze, on the next 24th of June, an action brought by Judge Marco Gattuso of Bologna. The magistrate questions the constitutionality of the unrestricted recognition of citizenship by blood.
The judgment may alter the effects of the decree in force or even invalidate provisions of the previous legislation.
Meanwhile, De Pellegrin remains at the center of a controversy that mixes history, migration policy and diplomatic tension with the Italian-Brazilian community.
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