Rome, August 21, 2024 – As parliamentary sessions resume, the debate over citizenship reform returns to the forefront of Italy’s political agenda, reigniting tensions within the governing majority. A bill proposed by the Democratic Party’s deputy group leader, Paolo Ciani, has reopened dialogue between the PD and Forza Italia, finding support among the Azzurri (Forza Italia) MPs for a light reform based on the Ius Scholae. However, Fratelli d’Italia and Lega remain steadfast in their opposition, creating a widening rift within the center-right.
Ciani’s proposal centers on two key points. The first is a sort of Ius Soli, which would grant citizenship to children of residents who have lived in Italy for at least seven years. However, this point seems destined to fail, as it lacks the necessary support even among opposition parties like the Five Star Movement, which opposes the idea of automatic rights for those born in Italy.
The second point, however, could become common ground: the Ius Scholae, which would grant citizenship to those who complete the entire cycle of elementary school in Italy or to those who arrive in the country after the age of 12 and obtain a high school diploma. On this proposal, dialogue between the PD and Forza Italia seems to be taking shape, with Azzurri’s Renata Polverini urging forces to unite in passing a law that has already been debated and approved in the Chamber of Deputies in the past. Forza Italia’s support is unsurprising, given the party’s historically open stance on rights issues, as emphasized by Sicilian governor Renato Schifani: “I stand with Tajani, also because on rights issues Berlusconi has always allowed MPs the freedom to choose.”
Despite the enthusiasm from some members of the majority, the wall erected by Fratelli d’Italia and Lega appears insurmountable. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has delegated Francesco Filini, FdI’s program manager, to reaffirm the party’s no: “The issue of citizenship is not in the center-right’s program, it’s not in FdI’s, Lega’s, or FI’s program, and therefore we’re not pursuing the left’s agenda.” This position is shared by Lega, with MP Stefano Candiani clarifying that the issue is not part of the majority agreements, and thus there’s no room for Forza Italia to maneuver: “Let’s not kid ourselves, the modification of the citizenship law is not in the majority’s agreements. Period.”
Despite these resistances, the issue of citizenship resonates strongly with public opinion. According to a study conducted by Vis Factor for Adnkronos, 53.92% of Italians on social media are in favor of the Ius Scholae. In this context, Antonio Tajani emerges as the most mentioned political leader on the issue, followed by PD Secretary Elly Schlein.
The political battle over the Ius Scholae promises to be complex, with Forza Italia, fully aware of its allies’ resistance, seemingly determined to push forward its vision of citizenship reform. The split within the majority could become one of the critical issues of the political autumn, with possible repercussions on the government’s stability. It remains to be seen whether Forza Italia’s determination will manage to shift the positions of FdI and Lega, or if, on the contrary, the issue will be shelved once again, postponing a much-debated and necessary reform for many.
