Meloni made Milei an Italian citizen — and “insulted” millions of Italy’s children

The Argentine president was informed of the benefit by the Italian prime minister during an official visit. The opposition criticized “discrimination” on the part of the government, which opposes the naturalization of immigrants.

The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Melonifaced criticism this Saturday after granting Italian citizenship to the president of Argentina, Javier Mileyduring an official visit by the Argentine to Rome.

Opposition politicians compared the treatment given to Milei with the difficulties faced by immigrant parents in guaranteeing the same rights for their children born in Italy.

Meloni hosted the Argentine president at Palazzo Chigi in Rome on Friday for a bilateral meeting focused on commercial, judicial and security cooperation. At the time, he informed him that he had received the Italian citizen status.

Three of Milei’s grandparents were Italian and emigrated from Italy to Argentina at the beginning of the 20th century. A few months ago, Milei claimed to be “75% Italian”.

According to the Italian news agency Ansa, the analysis of the Argentine president’s citizenship was carried out through an accelerated and exclusive process. Milei’s sister, Karinawho is Secretary General of the Presidency of Argentina, also benefited from the same status.

Milei is still in the European country to participate in a festival organized by the prime minister’s far-right party, the Brothers of Italy. Last month, the Argentine offered Meloni a statuette of himself holding a chainsaw – a reference to a scene he starred in during the last election campaign.

“Discrimination”

A deputy from the opposition +Europe party, Riccardo Magi, stated that the granting of citizenship to Milei was a “stroke” and an act of “intolerable discrimination against so many young people who will only obtain it after many years”.

The right to Italian citizenship is transmitted through blood ties, that is, it is not enough to be born in the country to be officially Italian. To apply for citizenship through naturalization, immigrants must live in Italy for at least 10 years. Children born in Italian territory, but whose parents are foreigners, cannot apply for citizenship before they turn 18.

Opposition parties and civil society have been campaigning to reduce this period from 10 to 5 years, in a move similar to that adopted by Germany, but Meloni’s coalition opposes any relaxation of immigration rules.

In a video published on social media, Magi stated that, for “millions of Italians without citizenship who were born in Italy, who grew up in our country, who studied here, who work here, who pay taxes in our country – unlike President Milei – Obtaining Italian citizenship will continue to be an ordeal.”