A Associazione Famiglie Trentine all'Estero celebrated unanimous approval, in the Provincial Council of TrentoThe proposal asks the Italian Parliament to reopen the deadline for recognizing citizenship for descendants of Trentino emigrants who left before 1920. The organization is now taking the battle to Rome.
The president of the association, Frank Panizza[He] has already contacted parliamentarians elected from the region to request their commitment on two fronts: the presentation of a specific bill and pressure on the government for direct intervention to extend the previous deadline.
In a statement, the organization expressed gratitude and satisfaction for the initiative and thanked the provincial councilors and advisors, especially the first signatory of the proposal, Malfer, and the competent advisor, Gottardi, for the sensitivity and determination shown.
The document approved in Trento seeks to raise awareness in Parliament to correct what the association classifies as an injustice. A national law from 2000 opened a ten-year window for these descendants, children of emigrants who left the region while still Austro-Hungarian citizens, to regain their citizenship.
The deadline passed in 2010, leaving out thousands of people who were unable to access the benefit due to lack of information, bureaucratic obstacles, or distance from the consulates.
More than a passport
According to Panizza, "what's at stake is the recognition of a sense of belonging that the slowness of the State has failed to erase."
The organization acknowledges that the required qualifications become increasingly difficult to meet over time. Nevertheless, it hopes that lawmakers will understand that the issue goes beyond simply obtaining a European Union passport.
Why do the people of Trentino need a specific law?
Trentino only became part of Italy after 1920. Those who emigrated before then left the region as Austro-Hungarian citizens, not Italian citizens. Therefore, the descendants of these families cannot use the common route of recognition by descent and depend on a special law, such as the one that was in effect between 2000 and 2010.
(With information from the Agenzia Giornalistica Opinione)
