Citizenship law change not parlmt priority - Procaccini

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 24 - Nicola Procaccini, a senior member of Premier Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and co-chair with her of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) party, said Saturday that changing Italy's citizenship law to allow the children of immigrants to qualify at 16 instead of 18 was not in the government's programme and not a priority for parliament.
    Procaccini also voiced the opinion that FdI ally Forza Italia (FI) was not pushing such a reform despite FI leader and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's insistence that a so-called ius scholae (Latin for law of the school) reform could be approved.
    also with opposition help, to allow migrant kids born in Italy to apply for citizenship after they complete compulsory education at the age of 16.
    "I don't think Forza Italia is pushing. Everyone has the right to express themselves on this issue. I don't think it is right for Parliament to deal with an issue like citizenship, because I believe that Parliament is committed to the realisation of an electoral programme approved by the citizens. A citizenship law is there already," said Procaccini at the annual high-profile Rimini meeting of influential lay Catholic activist group Communion and Liberation (CL), an appointment that normally marks Italy's return to active politics after the summer break.
    Procaccini reiterated: "I do not say that it is not legitimate, from a political point of view I think it is more appropriate for a government coalition to deal with the electoral programme.
    "Other topics can be discussed, a parliamentary process can be started, but I think it is not a priority". (ANSA).