The bill that restricts the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis) will be voted on next Tuesday, May 20, in the Italian Chamber of Deputies.
The Meloni government — until then — did not request the use of the vote of confidence (question of trust) at this stage of the process. As a result, the text approved in the Senate can receive amendments and be changed in the Chamber.
The decision not to resort to the instrument of confidence — which prevents modifications and speeds up processing — was interpreted by parliamentarians as a sign of openness to dialogue. There is an expectation that sensitive points, such as restrictions on acquired rights, may be reviewed.
Strategic retreat of the government
In the Senate, the project was approved last Thursday, May 15, with 81 votes in favor and 37 against. The text transforms decree no. into law. 36/2025, imposing new criteria for the recognition of citizenship jure sanguinis, by blood descent.
According to parliamentary sources consulted by Italianism, the decision not to impose urgency in the Chamber was motivated by pressure from Italian communities abroad and by resistance within the government's own base. Allied deputies consider that the current wording is excessively restrictive.
Central point of controversy
One of the most contested articles is the one that restricts citizenship to direct descendants up to the second degree — that is, grandchildren — as long as they prove that the ancestor had exclusively a Italian citizenship. Parliamentarians are calling for a review of this point as they consider it discriminatory and legally fragile.
Another argument from the government base is that, without the vote of confidence, the rejection of the text in plenary would not put the government's permanence at risk. This would allow a new discussion to be opened in Parliament, with regular processing and without the pressure of the deadline imposed by the decree.
What is the 'fiducia' vote in Italy
In parliamentary systems like Italy's, citizens do not directly choose the government. They only elect deputies and senators. The prime minister, ministers and government secretaries are appointed by the president of the republic.
To officially assume its functions, the government needs to obtain the approval of the majority of Parliament. This approval occurs through the so-called vote of confidence, or a matter of trust, provided for in Article 94 of the Italian Constitution.
Art. 94 of the Italian Constitution
“The Government must have the confidence of both Houses. Each House grants or revokes confidence by means of a reasoned motion, voted by name. Within ten days of its formation, the Government must present itself to the Houses to obtain confidence.”
Over time, the use of this instrument has diversified. Today, the term covers three distinct situations:
- Vote of confidence for government formation – when a new cabinet is formed and initial support is sought from Parliament.
- no-confidence vote – can be addressed to the government or to a specific minister.
- Question of trust over bills – used to ensure the approval of a proposal considered essential to the government program.
This last type has been the most frequent and also the most controversial. By tying the government's survival to the approval of a project, the Executive prevents changes to the text and automatically discards all amendments.
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