The article discusses the protests of Italian descendants, particularly Argentinians, against a new Italian law that significantly restricts access to Italian citizenship. The law limits citizenship to children and grandchildren of Italian citizens, excluding those descending from more distant ancestors.
A large march is planned in Rome to challenge the law's implementation, which protestors consider unjust and discriminatory. The protestors argue that Italian descendants who choose to repatriate are a valuable resource for the country economically and demographically.
The new decree, seen as a form of emergency decree, has caused significant hardship for many who had begun the process of obtaining citizenship before its implementation. The protestors highlight cases of individuals who have relocated to Italy only to find their applications halted due to the new restrictions.
Amendments are being debated in the Italian Senate. Proposed changes include removing the requirement that the ancestor was born in Italy and requiring only two years of Italian residency before the transmission of citizenship. Other proposed amendments suggest requiring a D1 level of Italian language proficiency.
The Italian government, under Giorgia Meloni, defends the measures as a way to prevent abuse and the commercialization of Italian passports.
The debate raises crucial questions about the identity of Italian descendants abroad and their connection to their ancestral homeland. The protestors view the reform as a denial of their cultural heritage and an obstacle to maintaining ties with Italy.