Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has vowed to convince the rest of the government to support a bill that would change the rules for recognizing citizenship in the country.
The initiative by the conservative Forza Italia (FI) party, chaired by Tajani, would restrict citizenship by right of blood (“jus sanguinis”) to Italian descendants whose parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were born outside the European country, but without affecting ongoing processes.
On the other hand, it provides for the recognition of citizenship for children of immigrants born in Italy, but only after their 16th birthday and upon proof of at least 10 years of study in the country. This system was called “jus italiae” (“Italian law”) by the vice-premier.
“I am in favor of seriously restricting the granting of citizenship 'jus sanguinis', because there are many people who, since they have an Italian ancestor, ask to become Italian citizens, or rather, ask to have an Italian passport,” Tajani said in an interview with La7 television.
“I believe that citizenship is a serious matter, both for those of Italian origin and those who are not. So we need to work seriously, and we will also convince the government to restrict this issue,” he stressed.
There is currently no generational limit for “jus sanguinis”, while children of immigrants born in Italy can only obtain citizenship after the age of 18. However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has already indicated that the FI project is not among the government’s priorities. (HANDLE)
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