Latest news with #non-Italian
Local Italy
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Italy
Ancestry vs residency: How are Italy's citizenship rules changing?
Last Tuesday, Italy approved the final version of a new law tightening the rules on applying for Italian citizenship through ancestry. PM Giorgia Meloni's government took the unusual step of forcing the measure through by an urgent decree - usually reserved for dealing with natural disasters and public health emergencies - on March 28th. The sudden law change made millions of people of Italian descent ineligible for citizenship overnight, leaving a large number of would-be applicants "angry" and "heartbroken". The emergency decree was ratified by parliament on Tuesday, May 20th, but underwent some key last-minute amendments right before its final approval. Meanwhile, a public referendum proposing to relax the requirements for citizenship by residency is due to take place on June 8th and 9th. It might seem contradictory for Italy to be holding a vote on easing naturalisation rules just a few weeks after tightening restrictions on citizenship by ancestry – but the timing is coincidental. The upcoming referendum wasn't proposed by Italy's hard-right coalition government - which is calling on voters to boycott the vote - but by left-wing opposition parties after they managed to secure over 600,000 signatures in favour the proposed reform. The proposal is seen as unlikely to pass, mainly because it requires a voter turnout of over 50 percent to be valid – a threshold that's rarely reached in Italian referendums. If the quorum is reached, however, the latest polls indicate that the coalition backing the reform may have the numbers to secure a win. Here's a breakdown of the final and proposed reforms. Citizenship by descent clampdown Under the final version of the new law, children born outside of Italy must have a parent or grandparent who 'holds, or held at the time of death, exclusively Italian citizenship' to be eligible for citizenship. This means that parents and grandparents with dual citizenship cannot pass Italian citizenship on to children or grandchildren born abroad, unless they renounce their other, non-Italian citizenship. However, there are some exceptions to the "exclusive" requirement. A parent or adoptive parent who 'has been a resident in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the date of the child's birth or adoption" can pass citizenship to their foreign-born child, even when holding dual nationality. A second exception is aimed at people who gained citizenship by descent under the old, more lenient rules (i.e., rules that merely required applicants to have an Italian ancestor who was alive on or after March 17th, 1861). Those who acquired Italian citizenship by descent under the previous rules, including dual nationals, will be able to pass on citizenship to foreign-born children under the age of 18 by submitting a request by May 31st, 2026. The decree didn't provide any further details as to how this request should be submitted, or to whom. The new law does make things easier for one group of people: former Italians who had to give up their Italian citizenship after naturalising as a citizen of another country before Italy introduced dual citizenship in 1992. Under the new rules, people in this position can reacquire their Italian citizenship "provided that they apply between July 1st, 2025, and December 31st, 2027, and pay a contribution to the Italian state of 250 euros, to be paid to the offices of the Italian consulates of the country where they are resident." The decree did not provide any further details about how this request should be submitted. Citizenship by residency referendum On June 8th and 9th, Italians will be asked to vote in a referendum on whether to ease the rules on applying for residency-based Italian citizenship by halving the current wait time of 10 years of legal residency down to five. The vote requires a turnout of over 50 percent to be valid; if this quorum, or threshold, isn't met, the referendum won't count, regardless of the result. Deputy PM Matteo Salvini, leader of the hard-right anti-immigrant League party, has called the proposal "dangerous", saying it would "give citizenship away". But opposition leaders have said that, since Italy's rules on naturalisation are among the toughest in Europe, the reform still wouldn't make the process particularly lax. Applicants would still be required to demonstrate that they pay taxes, have no criminal record and speak Italian, argued Riccardo Magi, leader of the centre-left +Europa party. As well as making life easier for many of The Local's readers who have moved to Italy as adults, easing residency requirements would also benefit people born in Italy to non-Italian parents, who can currently only apply for citizenship at the age of 18 on condition of having legally lived there "without interruption". If they don't apply before turning 19, they must demonstrate three years of legal residency, meeting the same language test and income requirements as all other candidates for naturalisation, then wait up to three years for their application to be approved.
Local Italy
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Italy
KEY POINTS: What are Italy's new rules on claiming citizenship by descent?
If you're planning to make a claim for Italian citizenship through descent (also known as iure sanguinis, or 'blood right' citizenship) some major changes have come into force affecting a large proportion of potential applicants. You may have already read in the news that, at the end of March, the Italian government pushed through an urgent decree immediately applying a two-generational limit to applications, meaning only those with an Italian parent or grandparent were eligible. This marked a major change from previous rules, which had long allowed anyone with an Italian ancestor, with no generational limit, to apply as long as they could prove their unbroken chain of descent. The Italian government said the abrupt changes were necessary partly because a rising number of complex applications and requests for copies of decades-old documents were clogging the country's courts and administrative offices. The new restrictions came into effect immediately after the urgent decree was published at the end of March. However, the final version of the new rules, voted through by Italy's parliament almost two months later on May 20th, contains some important amendments made by lawmakers. While the rules are complex, here's our quick overview of the main changes and how they will affect applications, based on the information available in the final version of the decree text (you can find it here, in Italian). Italian or Italian-born? This has become the main point of confusion for would-be applicants, as the initial decree included a requirement for children born outside of Italy to have a parent or grandparent who was born in Italy in order to be eligible for citizenship. The amendments approved by parliament on May 20th removed this rule and replaced it with a requirement to have a parent or grandparent who 'holds, or held at the time of death, exclusively Italian citizenship', according to the final version of the decree. This means that those born abroad with at least one parent or grandparent who holds only Italian citizenship, or held it at the time of death, will be eligible. Under the new rules, parents and grandparents who hold dual citizenship cannot pass Italian citizenship on to children or grandchildren born abroad, unless they renounce their other, non-Italian citizenship. Italy's parliament has approved a new decree tightening rules on citizenship by descent. Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP) Exceptions There are some exceptions to the 'exclusive' Italian citizenship requirement. A parent or adoptive parent who 'has been a resident in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the date of the child's birth or adoption" can pass citizenship to their foreign-born child, even when holding dual nationality, the decree states. A second exception is aimed at people who gained citizenship by descent under the old, more lenient rules (i.e., the rules requiring applicants to have an Italian ancestor who was alive on or after March 17th, 1861). Those who acquired Italian citizenship by descent under the previous rules, including dual nationals, will be able to pass on citizenship to foreign-born children under the age of 18 by submitting a request by May 31st, 2026, the decree noted. The decree didn't provide any further details as to how this request should be submitted, or to whom. Are the rules retroactive? The final text of the decree confirmed that the new rules would not be applied to applications already made before the law was changed. The new rules do not apply to citizenship applications filed either through an Italian consulate or an Italian court by 11.59pm Italian time on March 27th, 2025, it states. Applications filed after 11.59pm Italian time on March 27th, 2025 will be subject to the new rules. The Local will continue to provide further information on the new rules as more details become available.
Local Italy
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Italy
Italy's parliament approves clampdown on citizenship by descent claims
The lower house of parliament voted in favour of drastic changes to Italy's rules on claiming citizenship by descent, officially converting them into law nearly two months after they were pushed through via an urgent decree on March 28th. But the law, which the government said was intended to crack down on 'abuse' of Italy's citizenship laws, underwent major amendments right before its final approval. The urgent decree enforced in late March stated that only people with an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy could qualify for citizenship by descent, also known as citizenship iure sanguinis. This drastically tightened previous rules, which allowed anyone who could prove they had an Italian ancestor who was alive on or after March 17th, 1861, and that no one in their line of descent had renounced Italian citizenship before the birth of their child, to claim citizenship. The amendments approved by parliament on Tuesday removed the requirement for children born abroad to have an Italian parent or grandparent who was born in Italy in order to be eligible for citizenship. This was replaced with a requirement to have a parent or grandparent who 'holds, or held at the time of death, exclusively Italian citizenship', according to the final version of the decree. The amended rules mean that anyone with at least one parent or grandparent who holds only Italian citizenship, or held it at the time of death, will be eligible for Italian citizenship. Under the new rules, parents and grandparents who hold dual citizenship cannot pass Italian citizenship on to children or grandchildren born abroad, unless they renounce their other, non-Italian citizenship. That said, the final version of the decree sets out some exceptions to the 'exclusive' citizenship requirement mentioned above. A parent or adoptive parent who 'has been a resident in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the date of the child's birth or adoption" can pass citizenship to their foreign-born child, even when holding dual nationality, the decree stated. A second exception is specifically aimed at people who gained citizenship by descent under the old, more lenient rules (i.e., the rules requiring applicants to have an Italian ancestor who was alive on or after March 17th, 1861). Individuals who acquired Italian citizenship by descent under the previous rules, including dual nationals, will be able to pass on citizenship to foreign-born children under the age of 18 by submitting a request by May 31st, 2026, the decree noted. The decree didn't provide any further details as to how such a request should be submitted and to whom. As a final point, the decree confirmed that the new rules will not apply to citizenship applications filed either through an Italian consulate or an Italian court by 11.59pm Italian time on March 27th, 2025. Such applications won't be affected by the latest decree. Applications filed after 11.59pm Italian time on March 27th, 2025 will be subject to the new rules, the decree said. Members of the ruling hard-right coalition expressed satisfaction over parliament's approval of the citizenship decree. Paolo Emilio Russo, an MP from the right-wing Forza Italia party, hailed the new rules as 'fairer, more orderly, and more in tune with today's reality'. The reform 'puts an end to abuses, streamlines procedures [and] shortens wait times,' he said. Italy's opposition forces harshly condemned the new rules. Maria Elena Boschi, an MP from the centrist Italia Viva (IV) party, said the government was 'cancelling' the rights of people of Italian descent 'without even allowing for a transitional period.'
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Chung Myung-whun on ‘my Italian story' that leads to La Scala music director post
Dedicated fan of Verdi, pasta, La Scala and Italy, Korean maestro likens his appointment to 'getting married after loving each other for 36 years.' In a nutshell, what led to the appointment of Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun as the next music director of Teatro alla Scala — the first Asian and only the second non-Italian in its 247-year history — was love. Love for Verdi, for pasta, for Italy, and for La Scala itself. 'It feels like getting married after loving each other for 36 years,' Chung, 72, told reporters at a press conference held Monday at Busan Concert Hall. Since 1989, he has conducted 84 opera performances and 141 concerts at La Scala, ultimately becoming the first-ever honorary conductor of the La Scala Philharmonic in 2023. His number of appearances is surpassed only by the theater's official music directors. 'I don't really know about the politics or whether there was a preference for an Italian,' he said. 'I don't care much about being the first Asian music director. But I was thrilled to hear that I had strong support from the orchestra, chorus and staff at La Scala.' 'There are no words to fully describe it,' he added. 'But with La Scala, it just clicked from the start. They understand exactly what I want to express. I feel a great sense of responsibility. I think about how I can support La Scala's musicians and how I can deliver Verdi's music even better." With his appointment and an even deeper sense of responsibility toward Verdi, Chung finds himself back in study mode. His love for Verdi runs so deep that one of the highest compliments he can give is, 'Perhaps you love Verdi more than I do.' 'I recorded 'Otello' with the Paris Opera over 30 years ago, with Placido Domingo. So now, I feel I have to do it better. That's why I'm taking it on again. My wife asked me, 'You've been doing this your whole life — why are you still studying so hard?' But digging deeper into the music, trying to make it just a little better — that's no easy task. It takes everything I have. But that's what keeps me going.' Chung said that Otello will likely be the first production he conducts after officially assuming the role of music director at La Scala. Among Verdi's operas, "Don Carlo" and "Simon Boccanegra" are his personal favorites. 'Simon Boccanegra especially stands out,' he said. 'The title character embodies what I think a great person should be — generous, warm, noble. That spirit is deeply embedded in the music.' Chung also highlighted music's ability to convey what words cannot — especially messages of love and humanity. He praised Verdi not just as a composer but as a humanitarian, referencing the retirement home for musicians Verdi built in Milan, funded entirely by his royalties. "In a way, Verdi made sure that anyone attending one of his operas was also contributing to a humanitarian cause. Through that act, and through his music, his profound human qualities come through," he said. Chung recalled his first visit to Italy nearly 50 years ago. The young conductor had already developed a love for cooking, having worked in the kitchen of his parents' restaurant in Seattle, since the age of 8. 'With that background,' he said, 'when I went to Italy, I immediately fell in love with Italian food — pasta in particular.' His love for pasta was one of the reasons that drew him to Italy when he decided to spend a year in Europe, during a time when he had few professional engagements. 'I liked the food, and I started to love everything about Italy. And now, it's been 43 years. Then, I thought Italy was the country in Europe most similar to Korea — and the more time passes, the more I believe that,' he added. Though Chung will take the helm of one of the world's most prestigious opera houses, he also hopes to use the opportunity to deepen Korea's cultural identity. 'I hope that when people ask, 'Who are Koreans?' the answer might be, 'They're people who love singing,'' he said. 'I hope Korean people can become less sharp. I hope I can help with that.' He noted shared traits between Koreans and Italians, including passion and a deep love of songs. Chung's vision extends to collaboration between La Scala and the Busan Opera House, which is set to open in 2027. Appointed in 2023 as the artistic director of Classic Busan — a city-run initiative that oversees both Busan Concert Hall and the upcoming opera house — Chung has been deeply involved in shaping the artistic direction of both institutions. His dual role opens the door to new exchanges between Korea and Italy — between Busan and Milan. According to Classic Busan, the partnership will extend beyond performances to include artist exchanges, co-productions, rotating casts, orchestra collaborations, and even shared stagecraft and production technologies. Especially in the early years of Busan Opera House, these collaborations are expected to boost production quality and international competitiveness, Classic Busan noted in a statement. La Scala officially announced Chung's appointment as its next music director on Wednesday, with his tenure beginning in 2027. Founded in 1778, La Scala is a pillar of Italian opera and the site of legendary premieres such as Verdi's "Nabucco," and Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and "Turandot." Until now, only Daniel Barenboim (2007–2014), an Argentine-Israeli pianist and conductor, has held the position without Italian citizenship. Chung gained international recognition in 1974 by winning second prize in the piano division of the Tchaikovsky Competition. He rose to global prominence as music director of the Opera Bastille in Paris and has conducted nearly every major opera house and orchestra in Europe. Beyond his long-standing relationship with La Scala, he has held major posts with leading orchestras including the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and the Korean Broadcasting System Symphony Orchestra.
Economist
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Economist
Leo XIV will pose some tricky problems for Giorgia Meloni
FROM TIME to time, Charlemagne comes face to face with a pope. The first occasion was in the year 800 when Leo III placed a crown on his head and proclaimed him emperor of a reborn Roman Empire. More recently, it has become a ritual for a new pope—the latest is another Leo—to thank the scribes who have covered his election, this time including your columnist. Since 2005 the death of a pope has also been marked by a new ritual. Barely is the poor man's body cold than articles appear in Italian newspapers arguing that the chances have never been better of a return to normality (John Paul II had been the first non-Italian pope for 455 years) and predicting that the next pope will be an Italian. When lists are published of cardinals deemed papabile (literally, pope-able), half or more are invariably Italians. Non-Italian commentators, who assume their Italian counterparts have an inside track, repeat these names until, by the time the cardinals are locked into the Sistine Chapel, it has become a near-certainty they will choose an Italian. It happened again this time. The odds on Pietro Parolin becoming pope had shrunk to 6 to 4 on; but it was an American who emerged onto the balcony of St Peter's.
