Argentine President Javier Milei receives Italian citizenship on the sidelines of an official visit

Close to the head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, the ultraliberal head of state was eligible because of his origins.

Rome has granted Italian nationality to ultra-liberal Argentine President Javier Milei, eligible as a descendant of Italians, reports the country's press. This news follows a meeting between the Head of State and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, Friday December 13. Xavier Milei's sister, Karina, also received Italian citizenship, according to the Ansa news agency, which said the requests had been processed urgently by Rome.

This accelerated procedure represents a “insult” and an act of “intolerable discrimination against many young people who will only obtain it after many years”said Riccardo Magi, member of the opposition Europa party. Foreigners must currently live in Italy for ten years before they can apply for naturalization, and children born in Italy to foreign parents cannot apply for citizenship until they turn 18.

A libertarian with a disheveled look and rock star personality, Javier Milei went to Rome to meet the head of the Italian government and participate in a festival organized by his far-right party, Fratelli d'Italia. This is a new episode of the friendly soap opera between the two leaders, who have established a close relationship. Last month, the Argentinian gave Giorgia Meloni a statuette of himself brandishing a chainsaw, a nod to his characteristic gesture during his presidential campaign, where he displayed an electric chainsaw during his rallies.