The courts, which should be impartial, have shown they have taken sides in the debate on Italian citizenship. Carlo Citterio, president of the Court of Appeals in Venice, said on Friday (24) that Parliament should intervene to limit access to the right to recognition.
“The phenomenon is now out of control. Politics must intervene in this regard, because only Parliament could identify the limits,” he told Antena 3, a regional channel in Veneto.
The proposal comes in the context of a 124% increase in citizenship processes in Ordinary Court of Venice, due to the high demand for descendants of Italian immigrants, mainly Brazilians.
In the first half of 2024, the number of cases related to Italian citizenship awaiting a decision was 15.941. In just three months, the total... rose to 19 thousand.
Staff shortage
The problem is compounded by the lack of human resources. On average, courts in Veneto have a vacancy rate of 37,4% in administrative staff, reaching 46% in Venice.
For the court spokesperson, employees are at their limit: “We do our best, but there comes a time when we can’t take it anymore.”
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Historic context
Veneto accounts for 41,3% of Italian citizenship applications in the country. The region has a historical link with the descendants of Italians who emigrated to Brazil at the end of the 19th century.
Many resort to the judiciary when facing administrative difficulties at consulates.
National distribution of citizenship processes
