The Municipal Chamber of Santo André, in Greater São Paulo, presented this Tuesday, April 1, 2025, a motion of repudiation of the Decree-Law No. 36, edited by Italian minister Antonio Tajani.
The rule, published on March 28, limits the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent and directly affects the Italian-Brazilian community.
The text of the motion – initiated by councilor Marcos Pinchiari – claims that the decree violates the principle of non-retroactivity of the law by affecting births prior to its publication. It also questions the use of a provisional measure on a structural and sensitive issue, without debate in the Italian Parliament.
According to the new decree, only descendants whose father, mother or grandparent were born in Italy or resided in the country for at least two years before the applicant's birth will be able to obtain citizenship.
The motion cites an ongoing popular petition, which calls for the repeal of the measure, more agility in consular processes and recognition of communities abroad as an integral part of the Italian nation.
The document reinforces the historical ties between Brazil and Italy and criticizes the decision as “political and irresponsible”, with the risk of damaging commercial, cultural and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The text will be sent to consulate General of Italy in Sao Paulo, to the Chigi Palace in Rome, President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Other Brazilian cities with strong Italian influence are expected to present similar motions in the coming days. The mobilization aims to pressure the Italian Parliament to review the decree and preserve the historic right of citizenship iure sanguinis.
Santo André: industrial hub with a strong Italian presence
Located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Santo André has around 720 thousand inhabitants, according to IBGE data from 2022. The city is one of the main industrial centers of ABC Paulista, with emphasis on the automotive, metallurgical, chemical and services sectors.
The Italian presence in Santo André dates back to the end of the 19th century, with the arrival of immigrants who contributed directly to the urban and economic development of the region. Today, thousands of descendants of Italians live in the city, maintaining cultural, gastronomic and religious traditions.
