Italy according to Giorgia Meloni: no country for non-traditional families

The Italian Parliament is currently discussing a bill of law aiming at turning surrogacy abroad into a universal crime. If the bill is voted on, Italian citizens who go to countries where it is legal would risk reclusion and a fine.

The government is also hardening its stance towards homoparental families. Municipalities which so far granted birth certificates recognising same-sex parents, have been summoned to stop doing so.

Euronews’ reporters Valérie Gauriat and Davide Raffaele Lobina travelled around Italy to find out what the implications are for the families concerned.

Surrogacy is already banned in Italy, as in many european States. The Italian Prime minister and her far-right party Fratelli d'Italia, backed by the right-wing coalition government, now want Parliament to vote a bill of law criminalising Italian citizens resorting to the practice in countries where it is legal.

Debora and Michele got married in 2012 with a dream of building a large family. But Debora was diagnosed with acute endometriosis. A pregnancy would be far too risky for her. After trying to adopt children in vain, they considered resorting to surrogacy abroad, since it is illegal in Italy. The new bill could compromise their plans.

“We are once again blocked by this bill. Everyone is scared.”, said Debora. Were the bill to pass, the couple could face up to two years of reclusion and a heavy fine if they carry on with their project.

Making surrogacy carried out abroad a crime would be legally untenable, says Filomena Gallo, the national secretary of the association Luca Coscioni in Rome. According to this lawyer, it would be an attack on the sovereignty of countries where the practice is legal.

Her association has initiated a counter-proposal to