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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MILAN 000016 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2020 
TAGS: IT KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM PINR SMIG
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER MARONI'S PLANS FOR INTEGRATION 
 
REF: A. 10 MILAN 2 
 
Classified By: CONSUL GENERAL CAROL Z. PEREZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary:  Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, a member 
of the Northern League (LN) party, recently announced a new 
draft law that would offer immigrants a residence permit, 
known as a "permesso di soggiorno," in return for a promise 
to integrate into Italian society. The Maroni plan--which 
comes with a point system connected to Italian language 
ability, knowledge of the constitution, enrolling children in 
Italian schools, etc.--has come under fire from the 
opposition, which has charged that the plan will be counter 
productive, and is viewed with skepticism by immigrant 
advocates, given the past tough approach by Maroni and his 
party. At the same time, he is arranging an advisory council 
on Muslim integration with participants from the world of 
academics and the most moderate of Islamic leaders.  This 
latter plan as well should be viewed with suspicion.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, a member of the 
anti-immigrant Northern League (LN) party, announced a new 
initiative tying the "permesso di soggiorno," the residence 
permit that allows immigrants to reside legally in Italy, to 
a points system.  The proposed new law, supported by the 
Welfare Minister Maurizio Sacconi (of PM Berlusconi's People 
of Liberty party), is soon to be presented to the Council of 
Ministers.  As drafted, the proposal allows for a residence 
permit to be issued for two years if the immigrant has signed 
an agreement to integrate into Italian society.  In order to 
measure that integration the immigrant would need to comply 
with a series of obligations earning points for their 
completion.  If, at the end of two years, he or she has 
earned a minimum of 30 points, the permit can be extended. 
If the immigrant has not attained the requisite level of 
points, he or she is deported.  Points are earned for 
demonstrating proficiency in the Italian language and 
knowledge of the Constitution, enrolling in national 
healthcare, sending minor children to Italian schools, and so 
forth.  Points can also be deducted for wrongdoing, including 
criminal acts.  In that case, a one-year extension of the 
permesso can be awarded to afford an opportunity for the 
applicant to "earn back" the lost points.  Failure to do so 
would result in deportation. 
¶3.  (SBU) Maroni argues that this system would "guarantee 
integration" and is similar to those in other countries. 
However, members of the Democratic Party (Pd) are voicing 
opposition to the plan. The Pd Chief of the Commission on 
Constitutional Affairs has called the point system a 
"scandalous social lottery" and Italy the "most xenophobic 
country in Europe."  According to Livia Turco, former 
Minister of Health in the Prodi government and current Pd 
President of the Forum on Immigration and Social Politics, 
point programs used by other countries can not work in Italy. 
 She reasons that because the renewal of an Italian residence 
permit takes a year or more, and because the courses for 
language and culture would be managed solely by the Catholic 
Church, those programs effective elsewhere are not the same. 
Turco, who has advocated for other integration initiatives 
(reftel A), sees this system as "hindering integration and 
favoring abuses." 
¶4.  (C) Maroni,s announcement of the points-for-permesso 
plan comes publicly while privately he is reported to be 
organizing an Advisory Council on Muslim issues.  Those 
invited to participate in the Council are at this point 
unknown to one another.  However, Consulate contacts have 
advised us that members will include professors from Milan,s 
Catholic University and the State University of Milan as well 
as one well-known imam from Milan.  The group is expected to 
advise Maroni and organize programs directed at the Muslim 
community.  One such program is expected to be training for 
imams and religious leaders in the northern regions of 
Lombardy and Piedmont.  Also anticipated is an appropriation 
of 400,000 euro to fund the Council and its initiatives.  We 
expect further details and a public announcement of the 
Council after February 10. 
¶5.  (C) Comment:  In light of Maroni,s political affiliation 
and history of taking a harsh stand on immigration, it is 
hard to believe that his actions toward any immigrant 
community, particularly Muslims, are altruistic at their 
core.  Rather, the points system is likely more about 
pandering to popular voters that fear immigration than 
seeking true integration.  While one can hope that the 
Council will lead to badly needed improvements in 
communication between the GOI and the Muslim community, it is 
more likely to be the sheep,s clothing donned by the wolf. 
After all, it was Maroni who blamed years of tolerance of 
illegal immigration for the riots in Rosarno last month  and 
it was he that called the uproar over the anti-immigrant 
"White Christmas" campaign (that he  had approved)  a "big 
 
MILAN 00000016  002 OF 002 
 
 
brouhaha over nothing."  He is known more for calling for the 
closure of mosques and banning their construction than 
reaching out to the Muslim community or seeking their advice. 
 As the most powerful Minister in the Northern League,s 
stable, Maroni is not about to alienate his party by 
embracing immigration and integration in a manner contrary to 
their stated positions. For that reason, the motivation for 
the current proposals is, at the very least, suspect.  End 
Comment 
 Perez