The Puglia town of Barletta will confer local citizenship on 12 minors born in Italy of foreign parents, officials said Wednesday. The move by Democratic Party (PD) Mayor Pasquale Cascella's administration recognizes the kids' right to citizenship based on ius soli (law of the soil). PD Premier Matteo Renzi has vowed to make it easier for immigrant children to become Italian citizens, and there have long been demands for Italy to change its 'ius sanguinis' (blood right) law where only children of Italians get automatic citizenship to a 'ius soli' (law of the soil) where being born in Italy grants the right.
The ceremony will occur Thursday March 17, which is Italy's Day of National Unity, the Constitution, the National Hymn and the Flag, in memory of the day Italy became a country 152 years ago. The event to be held in a local school will be attended by city officials and a delegation from the local football team, including Senegalese goalie Alioune Jacques Diouf "as a testament to the constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination, by which sport is also inspired".
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