The new bill on Italian citizenship must be voted on in the Senate between May 13 and 15. Vice Prime Minister Antonio Tajani's strategy is to give little time for debate in the Chamber and approve the text as it leaves the Senate.
O Decree-Law 36 must be converted into law by May 27. Otherwise, it will lose its validity.
According to deputy Franco Tirelli, from MAIE (Movement AssItalians Abroad), the discussion has been stalled since last week, when the Constitutional Affairs Committee suspended a session following protests. The meeting was rescheduled for May 8, which pushes the vote to the following week.
“The government does not want to change even a comma,” Tirelli said. According to him, Fratelli d'Italia – party of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – and Forza Italia strictly follow the guidelines of the Ministry of the Interior – by Antonio Tajani – and reject any negotiation.
A member of Lega confirmed this difficulty – and strategy – ao Italianism.
Government ignores suggestions even from allies
Among the 108 amendments under debate, the Lega's proposes to restrict the Italian citizenship only to grandchildren of Italians, even without the requirement of birth in Italy. The proposal reinforces the principle of jus sanguinis — the right to citizenship by blood — and coincides with the position of MAIE. The movement led by Ricardo Merlo also presented amendments removing the requirement of birth on Italian soil.
It's not just the parties that support Meloni that have had proposals — until then — ignored. The opposition also took a stand.
In total, there were more than 70 amendments: 42 from the Democratic Party, 17 from the 5 Star Movement, 13 from Italia Viva and 4 from the Green and Left Alliance. Many criticize the rigidity of the text and ask for guarantees for descendants of Italians born outside Italy.
The expectation is that, despite the criticism, the government will approve the new legislation. – already considered unconstitutional by Italian jurists – with the support of the majority that supports Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
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