An Italian politician has put forth a proposal to challenge a long-standing tradition by introducing a law that would automatically give newborns their mother’s surname at birth. This initiative has led members of Giorgia Meloni’s coalition to scrutinize his priorities, as reported.
An Italian politician is challenging a long-standing tradition by proposing a law that would automatically assign newborns their mother’s surname at birth. This initiative has led members of Giorgia Meloni’s coalition to question his focus and priorities.
Dario Franceschini, a former culture minister from the center-left Democratic Party, argues that this legislation aims to “correct a historical injustice,” as reported by The Guardian.
His proposal follows a 2022 ruling by the constitutional court, which found the automatic assignment of a father’s surname to be “discriminatory and detrimental to the child’s identity.” The court ruled that children should be given both parents’ surnames in the order they prefer, unless the parents opt for a single surname. In cases where there is indecision or disagreement, a judge would have the final say, according to the report.
To put this ruling into effect, new legislation approved by parliament was required, but the matter was put on hold following the emergence of Meloni’s right-wing coalition.
Franceschini has reignited the discussion, proposing that rather than creating “endless complications” with hyphenated surnames or making choices between parents, the law should simply designate the maternal surname as the default, as reported by The Guardian.
“It is a straightforward measure and serves as redress for a long-standing injustice that has not only symbolic significance but has also contributed to cultural and social gender inequality,” Franceschini stated, according to The Guardian.
In Italy, as in many other countries, children are generally registered under their father’s surname, with the mother’s surname typically permitted only if the father is absent from the child’s life.
Franceschini has announced his intention to introduce the bill in the coming days, which has sparked outrage among members of Meloni’s coalition.
“Here are the great priorities of the Italian left,” Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League, commented on X.
“Of course, let’s erase these fathers from existence; that way we’ll…”
Federico Mollicone, representing Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, asserted that Franceschini’s proposal would signify a transition “from patriarchy to matriarchy.”
Nonetheless, he indicated a willingness to consider the option of children taking on the surnames of both parents.
Pierantino Zanettin of the Forza Italia party characterized the initiative as “a provocation primarily intended to attract media attention,” while Giulia Bongiorno from the League advocated for “a balanced approach that ensures no parent is made invisible.”
Franceschini garnered largely favorable reactions from other members of the opposition, although Carlo Calenda, the leader of the centrist Azione party, expressed doubt.
“Don’t we have any other priorities? Boh,” he remarked.
