The coalition government in Rome is currently divided over a proposal to grant Italian citizenship to foreign nationals who complete 10 years of education. While some members of the far-right populist Lega party have dismissed the proposal as a “summer fling”, the centre-right Forza Italia party is pushing for a new citizenship reform based on years spent studying in Italy. Forza Italia’s leader, Antonio Tajani, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive debate on the matter and has called for a review of the current law, which makes the citizenship process difficult for individuals born to immigrants.
Under the current rules, individuals who are not born to Italian parents must have 10 years of continuous residency in the country before they can apply for citizenship. Tajani has suggested adopting the “ius scholae” principle, where foreign nationals would be granted citizenship if they complete 10 years of compulsory education in Italy. This proposal could potentially impact a significant number of Italian residents, as around 65% of foreign national students in Italy were born in the country. Many believe that citizenship should be granted based on education rather than the arbitrary factor of birth, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the state’s investment in individuals.
Campaigners like Amin Nour, founder of the anti-discrimination group “Neri Italiani” (Black Italians), have been actively advocating for the citizenship reform. Nour, who was born in Somalia, completed his education in Italy and has lived in the country for many years without obtaining citizenship. He highlights the challenges he faces as a foreigner in his home country and stresses the importance of being able to fully participate in society. Organizations like Save the Children have also been working to integrate children born in Italy to foreign parents and have launched a petition calling for a change in the outdated citizenship law.
Despite efforts to push for reform, reaching a compromise within the coalition government seems unlikely at present. While Forza Italia is advocating for citizenship reform, its governing partners, including the far-right Brothers of Italy party and the Lega party, have expressed opposition to reviewing the current law. The last attempt at reform in 2015 did not make much progress, and certain political parties within the government are not in favor of discussing the issue further. However, other groups such as Più Europa and Italiani senza cittadinanza are calling for a referendum to align Italy’s citizenship laws with those of other EU countries that do not require a 10-year residency period.
The debate surrounding Italian citizenship laws is ongoing, with different parties and organizations advocating for reform based on various criteria. While Forza Italia continues to push for a new citizenship system based on education, the coalition government remains divided on the issue. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for foreign nationals living in Italy and could potentially impact the integration of individuals who have spent years studying in the country. As the discussion continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to consider the importance of inclusivity and equal rights for all residents of Italy.
