Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza Italia (FI), told Rome’s La Repubblica on Wednesday that “Italy has changed” and needs citizenship reform.
“It’s what our country needs,” he said, denying any “backroom agreement” with the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, which has long supported changes to citizenship rules.
“I didn’t talk to (PD leader Elly) Schlein for a backroom accord,” Tajani clarified. “I’m not working on the side with the PD. It’s what I’ve always thought; it’s what our country needs.”
Tajani acknowledged that his government partners – Premier Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI) and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini’s League – are not in favour of reform. “It’s true, it’s not in the program, but not everything is always in government programs. It’s possible to enrich them,” he said.
He noted the reform “is not our priority; there are others: the economy and the prison emergency. However, we are not one party; each of us has our own ideas,” Tajani added. He also emphasised the government didn’t fall when members voted differently on re-confirming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second mandate. “Nor will it if we promote our ideas on citizenship.”
‘ius scholae’ or ‘ius soli’?
Last week, Forza Italia expressed willingness to consider citizenship reform. They outlined plans to draft a proposal in September with support from opposition parties Azione, Italia Viva, and the Five-Star Movement (M5S).
The Democratic Party is less enthusiastic about Forza Italia’s idea of ‘ius scholae’ (law of the right to study). This could grant citizenship to foreign minors who complete one or two school cycles in Italy. Instead, the Democratic Party champions ‘ius soli’ (law of the soil), which would grant citizenship to those born in Italy.
Members have indicated openness to changes in the current law, under which second-generation immigrants can apply for Italian citizenship at age 18. The Brothers of Italy (FdI) party has shown little interest in reforming the current legislation. Salvini has stated there is no need for a change.
