Senate approves citizenship decree, Tajani: “It restores dignity to a right”

In the chamber of Palazzo Madama, the decree on citizenship is approved with 81 yes votes and 37 no votes. The text, which effectively introduces the principle that Italian citizenship is not automatically transmitted to those born abroad who possess another citizenship and precludes the recognition of this citizenship even to those born abroad before the law came into force, now passes to the Chamber.

Foreign Minister and Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani expressed satisfaction: "The vote with which the Senate approved the 'citizenship decree' is very important. It is a measure desired to restore dignity and meaning to a right that must be based on an authentic bond with Italy, not only bureaucratic, but cultural, civic and identity-based. Citizenship must be a serious and conscious recognition, which is confirmed through commitment. This reform does not exclude, but rather makes responsible. It proposes more selective and transparent criteria, capable of strengthening the integrity of our system and preventing abuse".

"There will no longer be automatic recognitions - says the deputy prime minister - for people born abroad who do not have at least one parent or grandparent with exclusively Italian citizenship. The children of Italian citizens born abroad will still have the possibility of acquiring citizenship if their parents request it. On my proposal, the Senate has also approved an amendment that opens the request to reacquire citizenship for Italian emigrants who have had to renounce Italian citizenship to work in the countries where they have settled. A long-awaited measure, which strengthens the ties of our country with those who, despite living abroad, are Italian through and through".

The decree, Tajani adds, "is part of a package of measures that includes two additional bills under consideration by Parliament, which will introduce additional measures to ensure the maintenance of an effective link with our country. These are measures in favor of our Italian compatriots abroad, which will improve the functionality of consular offices".