The Italian government granted citizenship to Argentine President Javier Millei because of his Italian heritage, sparking anger from opposition politicians who compared his treatment to that of children born in Italy to immigrant parents. I invited you.
Millais is in Rome to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and take part in the Italian Brotherhood's annual festival on Saturday.
Sources said the government had granted Italian citizenship to the Argentine leader, but did not provide further details.
The news, reported by Italian media, prompted an angry response from some politicians, with many on social media saying that children born in Italy to immigrant parents would be granted citizenship. This sparked a reaction from people who protested against the citizenship rights granted to Millais.
Italy's citizenship law is based on blood ties, meaning even distant descendants of Italian citizens can obtain an Italian passport. On the other hand, the requirements for foreigners born in or immigrated to Italy are much stricter. Pro-immigration groups have proposed a referendum on the relaxation, but Meloni's right-wing coalition opposes any relaxation.
Ricardo Maghi, a lawmaker from the small opposition + Europe party, said granting citizenship to Millei was an act of “intolerable discrimination against so many young people who are only able to obtain citizenship after many years”.
During a visit to Italy in February, Millais said in a television interview that he felt he was “75% Italian'' because three of his grandparents were of Italian descent, and that “I have a strong belief in Italian opera.'' He said that he has “a passion like no other”.
Millais, a liberal, and Meloni, a conservative, have a close relationship. During talks in Buenos Aires last month, the Argentine leader presented his Italian guest with a statuette of himself wielding his trademark chainsaw.
