Citizenship Referendum Spot Quoting Berlusconi Sparks Controversy
Rome, Might 7, 2025 – A promotional video for Italy’s upcoming citizenship referendum, scheduled between April and June 2025, has ignited controversy by quoting former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s well-known 1994 speech, “L’Italia è il Paese che amo” (“Italy is the nation I like”). The referendum, backed by the left-leaning +Europa celebration and supported by teams just like the Italian Socialist Social gathering, Oxfam Italia, and Motion Assist, seeks to scale back the residency requirement for Italian citizenship from 10 years to five, aligning with many EU requirements. The usage of Berlusconi’s phrases within the marketing campaign spot has drawn sharp criticism from his Forza Italia celebration, notably International Minister Antonio Tajani, who known as for voter abstention, prompting a heated political debate.
The Referendum and the Spot
The referendum goals to amend Article 9 of Legislation No. 91 of 1992, which governs Italy’s ius sanguinis (proper of blood) citizenship coverage. If accredited, it will grant citizenship to roughly 2.5 million authorized residents after 5 years, mechanically extending it to their minor youngsters, supplied they meet necessities like language proficiency, monetary stability, and a clear prison file. The marketing campaign, led by +Europa’s Riccardo Magi, collected 500,000 signatures by September 30, 2024, securing the referendum’s place on the poll pending Constitutional Courtroom approval.
The controversial spot, launched by +Europa, options Berlusconi’s iconic line from his 1994 Forza Italia launch, the place he declared his love for Italy whereas getting into politics. The quote was supposed to evoke nationwide satisfaction and inclusivity, framing long-term residents as integral to Italy’s future. Magi defended the selection, stating on X, “We have been on the lookout for phrases to persuade Tajani and others they’re flawed,” citing Tajani’s personal previous reward for Berlusconi’s imaginative and prescient.
Forza Italia’s Backlash
Tajani, now main Forza Italia, condemned the spot as “determined” and disrespectful, accusing +Europa of exploiting Berlusconi’s legacy for a trigger he won’t have supported. On Might 6, 2025, @PiuEuropaBo quoted Berlusconi’s line in response to Tajani’s name for abstention, escalating tensions: “We reply with the identical phrases Silvio Berlusconi used to launch Forza Italia in 1994. ‘L’Italia è il Paese che amo.’ #ReferendumCittadinanza #SìAmoItalia.” Il Giornale, a newspaper aligned with Forza Italia, labeled the transfer a cynical tactic by a “determined” marketing campaign, noting Berlusconi’s advanced historical past with immigration coverage.
Forza Italia’s objection is partly ideological. Whereas Tajani has supported ius scholae—granting citizenship to youngsters finishing Italian education—his celebration stays divided on broader reforms. The coalition’s far-right companions, Lega and Brothers of Italy, led by Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, oppose easing citizenship guidelines, with Salvini dismissing it as a nonpriority. Berlusconi himself by no means explicitly endorsed such a reform, and his authorities’s 2008–2011 insurance policies tightened immigration controls, complicating the marketing campaign’s use of his phrases.
Public and Political Response
The controversy has polarized opinions. Supporters, together with the Democratic Social gathering and Inexperienced Left Alliance, argue the spot underscores Italy’s want for inclusive citizenship legal guidelines to counter its declining delivery price and increase financial development. Campaigner Antonella Soldo emphasised that noncitizens “contribute to this nation, work, pay taxes, typically greater than Italians,” and deserve recognition. On X, some customers praised the spot’s daring messaging, with one calling it “a intelligent strategy to reclaim patriotism for progress.”
Critics, notably Forza Italia voters, view it as opportunistic. A publish on X labeled it “a low blow to Berlusconi’s reminiscence,” noting his 2011 feedback prioritizing Italian residents through the financial disaster. The precise-wing Libero Quotidiano questioned the marketing campaign’s sincerity, suggesting it alienates conservative voters who affiliate Berlusconi with stricter immigration stances. The controversy has additionally revived scrutiny of Berlusconi’s legacy, with detractors citing his controversial remarks, like his 2001 declare of Western civilization’s “superiority,” as proof of his misalignment with progressive causes.
Skeptical Perspective
The spot’s use of Berlusconi’s quote could also be a strategic misstep. Whereas it goals to attraction to moderates, it dangers alienating each right-wing voters loyal to Berlusconi’s nationalist rhetoric and left-wing supporters cautious of his scandals, together with tax evasion and intercourse trafficking convictions. The marketing campaign’s give attention to a single emotive quote overlooks Berlusconi’s blended file on immigration, doubtlessly undermining its credibility. Furthermore, with a required 50% voter turnout for the referendum to be legitimate, Tajani’s abstention name might jeopardize its success, particularly if Forza Italia mobilizes its base. Conversely, the controversy has amplified the referendum’s visibility, doubtlessly galvanizing progressive voters.
As Italy awaits the Constitutional Courtroom’s ruling, the spot has turned a coverage debate right into a cultural flashpoint, highlighting deep divisions over id, citizenship, and Berlusconi’s enduring affect. Whether or not it is going to sway voters or backfire stays unsure, however the marketing campaign has undeniably stirred the nation’s conscience.
Sources: BBC Information, Reuters, InfoMigrants, Euronews, posts on X
