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".
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