Thursday,
March 15,
The
ANNOTICO Report
It
looks like the Italians Abroad voting in
Tandem.
Italians
in
By
Angelo Persichilli
Mar18, 2007 - Mar25, 2007
The current
Italian Parliament will be the last one where Gino Bucchino or any other MP
from
Rumours had been circulating for
some time, but last week they were confirmed by reliable sources during a
mission of a Canadian delegation to
The cabinet led
by Prime Minister Stephen Harper has already made this decision, and according
to our sources the official announcement will come in a matter of weeks or even
days.
The same sources
claimed, "the Canadian government has great
respect for
Our sources did not give details on these "situations", but most
likely this expression refers to other national communities that would be ready
to request to be allowed, like the Italians, to cast
votes in their native countries' elections.
However, some of
those communities have politically delicate situations at home, and if those
issues were transferred to
At present, the
government seems unanimous in denying any repetition of last year's election.
There seems to be a split, though, between those who would simply forbid
Canadian residents to run for a foreign Parliament but allow the simple casting
of ballots, and those who would prefer blocking everything
altogether.
Apparently,
We are unable to confirm whether
Permission had been very reluctantly granted to Italians in
Then-PM
In the end,
Pettigrew was defeated alongside the Liberal government.
The reasons for
the great reluctance in allowing Italians to vote were the same that are now
leading PM Harper to withdraw the authorization.
Martin's Liberal cabinet had granted authorization for one election only, reserving
to review its decision in future.
Disappointed but not surprised
Gino Bucchino comments
Mr. Bucchino, were you surprised by the news? "Certainly
not, as there had been warning signs."
Such
as?
"For
instance, the Canadian ambassador to
Were your
colleagues from other countries treated differently?
"Sure.
Unsurprised, then, but surely disappointed?
"Of
course.
Not just from a personal standpoint, but for other very important reasons as
well. I think that
Will you continue
in your action anyway?
"Yes, I
think I will manage to contribute to rid
What do you mean?
"For
instance, right now I'm trying to explain that immigration must be addressed
with solidarity and tolerance. We need to stop calling all immigrants by first
name and convince ourselves that immigrants bring warmth to our way of living.
Immigration will help us grow even from the demographic point of view, and open
our country to the world."
How do you intend
to go on with your work?
"Now I'm
trying to focus on this aspect, facilitating the integration of immigrants with
the acquisition of civil rights and therefore advocating the concession of
citizenship after five years of residence; the immediate recognition of Italian
citizenship for anyone born on Italian soil; grant the right to healthcare,
something that is now only on paper; and give more protection to women in the
workplace, prevention expulsion during pregnancy regardless of legal residence
and up to one year after birth. I would like to pressure
What about
"There's a lot
we can do. Just one example: I submitted an official Parliamentary question on
double taxation, to clarify the rules on where people are supposed to pay their
taxes. There is an agreement between
Returning
to the imminent decision from
"Honestly, I
don't think so. I feel that the Italian Parliament - MPs and Senators from all
parties - still regard us all like martians, as if we
had no right to be there and participate with their work. I think that both
coalitions were forced to pass the law because of former minister Tremaglia's pressuring, but it wasn't really heartfelt. We
have to beg for attention within our Parliamentary groups. This is partly our
own fault, since we have been unable to work together to boost our contractual
force."
What do you mean?
"In
Parliament, if you don't dig in your heels and elbow your way forward, you
obtain nothing."
No official
reaction then.
"Let's just
say, I don't think Italian parties will tear their hair out. I don't rule out
the possibility that they might use this decision as a pretext for reviewing
everything and reconsider the voting rights for Italians abroad."
How, exactly?
"There are
attempts to allow Italian residents to be elected abroad. Forza
Italia would certainly favour this solution."
Publication Date:
2007-03-18
Story Location: http://www.tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=7120
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