The Italian political scene was one more time caught up in interior disputes. This time it is about reforming the right to citizenship. The proposal of the Forza Italia party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Antoni Tajani, sparked an unexpected wave of tensions in the ruling coalition. The Act, known as ‘Ius Italiae’, provides for the granting of citizenship to immigrant children raised and educated in Italy. Although the task has attracted support from any political classes, it has besides sparked a strong opposition, especially among the nationalist League and parts of the environments supporting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
What is ‘Ius Italiae’?
The basis of controversy is the proposal to amend the rules on the acquisition of Italian citizenship. Italy now follows a restrictive version ius sanguinis, or blood rights — citizenship is almost exclusively passed on by Italian parents. Children born in Italy from immigrant parents usually gotta wait until they are 18 to apply for citizenship, even if they have spent their full life in the country.
The ‘Ius Italiae’ task does not completely break with this system, but constitutes an crucial extension of it. According to the proposal, citizenship would besides be granted to people born abroad who have completed at least 10 years of education in Italian schools and can show affirmative academic outcomes. The aim is to integrate the second generation of migrants, which, although culturally and linguisticly embedded in Italy, inactive lives on the formal and legal margin.
Tajani vs. Meloni
For the leader of Forza Italia, Antoni Tajani, “Ius Italiae” is simply a natural step towards modern integration policy. As erstwhile president of the European Parliament, Tajani has been presenting a average position on migration and multiculturalism for years. He publically declared that the bill was part of a government program and that he did not intend to retreat the proposal despite opposition within the coalition.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, headed by the Italian Brothers (Fratelli d’ItaliaShe rapidly tried to strangle the debate.
“I will let myself to counsel – it would be good if everyone focused on the priorities of the government. This bill is not part of the programme," she said, making it clear that she does not support this initiative.
Meloni seems to fear that support for ‘Ius Italiae’ will harm her image as a leader of the hard right, especially among the electorate reluctant to migrants. Her organization has for years been building a position on identity slogans, highlighting the request for “the defence of Italian culture” and “the fight against illegal migration”.
However, the strongest criticism came from the League, the second coalitionist in the government. The organization headed by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has been campaigning for years against the “softening” right to citizenship. According to League MPs, like Stefano Candiani, Forza Italia's proposal is not only a departure from the coalition program but besides a gift for the left.
“It is simply a paradox that while the Democratic organization is silent after its defeat, it is Forza Italia who is pushing for easier access to citizenship for foreigners.” commented Candiani. “Now we have different priorities. Tajani should realize this.”
He explicitly referred to current economical and social challenges specified as inflation, unemployment and the demographic crisis.
The interior divided or the political theater?
Although Italian coalitions can be fragile, so far the Meloni government has enjoyed comparative stability. A public dispute between leaders of specified crucial groups as Forza Italia and the Italian Brothers is simply a informing signal. This is more than a disagreement — it is simply a conflict over the identity of the direction Italian politics are heading. On the 1 hand, we have Forza Italia, trying to play the function of "central voice of reason", representing more average voters and business environments. On the another hand, the Italian Brothers and the League – 2 parties grew out of the nationalist mainstream, distrustful of multiculturalism and profoundly skeptical of social inclusion reforms.
Some commentators propose that the dispute may besides have a tactical dimension. Forza Italia, being the smallest link in the coalition, may effort to strengthen its position and mark independence. For Tajani, it is besides an chance to build his own political capital before the future shuffling on the centre-right stage.
Voice of the young Italians of the second generation
Apart from the organization calculations, the Ius Italiae case affects thousands of young people raised in Italy but inactive treated as strangers. We are talking about immigrant children who talk Italian better than in their parents' country of origin, who finish the same schools, who pass the same exams, but formally stay "foreigners". many reports show the stories of young people who can only start the process of naturalization in adulthood – frequently long, costly and full of administrative barriers. Many of them feel Italian, but have no authoritative right to do so. Therefore, ‘Ius Italiae’ has broad support for social organisations, academics and parts of the public who see the task as an effort to level the playing field and give sense to the concept of ‘integration’.
Europe is watching
In the context of this dispute, there is another aspect – European. The Italian right to citizenship is among the most stringent in the European Union. For comparison: Germany, France and Spain have been utilizing forms for years ius salt – the acquisition of citizenship on the basis of birth or long-term residence in the country. The force from Brussels on associate States to improvement outdated naturalisation systems is increasing. In this context, "Ius Italiae" is not only an interior question but besides an effort to comply with European standards. If Italy wants to effectively integrate migrants and build a coherent society, it must improvement the citizenship model – at least that's what the supporters of the bill say.
However, the political debate has already been opened – and it will be hard to silence. The final destiny of the task may depend on the social strength of the pressure, the determination of Forza Italia and the possible competitions within the coalition. 1 thing is certain: “Ius Italiae” has become a symbol of the bigger question – who are Italians present and who have the right to belong to them.
