This bipartisan commitment to reform is the outcome of a debate already under way for some time. Reforms of the citizenship law and local franchise were discussed in parliament several times, in particular under the government of Romano Prodi (PD, 2006-2008).

In May 2009 Mr. Fini reopened the debate on citizenship reacting to the government’s aggressive policy on illegal migration. At the end of September, two MPs, Fabio Granata (of the PdL and close to Fini’s positions) and Andrea Sarubbi (PD), presented a proposal for a bipartisan bill which was subscribed by 50 MPs from all parties in parliament, with the exclusion of the right-wing populist Lega Nord/ Northern League which has strongly opposed the reform. This bill aims to reduce the residence requirement and to facilitate the acquisition of nationality by minors born and/or educated in Italy, and introduces in Italy some elements of ‘ius soli’.

The proposal is now on the agenda of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, and is expected to be discussed in the Parliament in November. The most controversial point is the suggested reduction of the years of residence required to obtain citizenship from ten to five.

Read two commentaries of EUDO CITIZENSHIP expert Giovanna Zincone:

“Un treno trasversale” (La Stampa, 22 October 2009)

“Il voto agli immigrati uno spazio per i laici” (La Stampa, 16 September 2009)

Read newspaper reports about the recent debate in Italy:

“Fini-D’Alema: dialogo sulle riforme” (ANSA, 17 October 2009)

“Immigrati, nasce l’asse Fini-D’Alema su cittadinanza e voto locale” (Il Messaggero, 18 October 2009)