The Italian Government granted nationality to the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, due to his family roots, a source familiar with the matter reported on Friday, thus confirming information that appeared in the media.
Milei is in Rome to meet with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and participate on Saturday in the annual party of her party, Brothers of Italy.
The source said that the Government had granted Italian citizenship to the Argentine leader, and did not want to give further details.
The news in the Italian media provoked an angry reaction from some politicians and on social media from people who protested the granting of citizenship, which even for children of immigrants born in Italy is difficult to obtain.
Italian citizenship laws are based on blood ties, meaning that even distant descendants of an Italian citizen can obtain an Italian passport.
On the other hand, the requirements for foreigners born in Italy or who immigrate to this country are much stricter. Pro-immigrant groups have proposed a referendum to ease them, but Meloni’s right-wing coalition opposes any relaxation.
Riccardo Magi, a lawmaker from the small opposition party +Europe, said granting citizenship to Milei was an act of “intolerable discrimination against so many young people who will only obtain it after many years.”
During a previous trip to Italy in February, Milei said in a television interview that he felt “75 percent Italian,” as three of his grandparents had Italian origins.
The libertarian Milei and the conservative Meloni have established a close relationship. When they met in Buenos Aires last month, the Argentine leader gave his Italian guest a statuette of himself wielding his trademark chainsaw.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels YouTube, WhatsApp and to newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, x and instagram.
Add Comment