I would act as if the Tajani Decree doesn't exist. - Marco Mellone

This is the definitive interview with attorney Marco Mellone on Italy's citizenship by descent crisis. For nearly two years, Marco has been at the center of the legal challenges surrounding Italy's changes to citizenship by descent. As counsel in cases before the Italian Supreme Court and one of the Constitutional Court challenges, he has had a front-row seat to one of the most consequential legal battles affecting the global Italian diaspora in recent history. This isn't another legal update. It's an in-depth conversation with one of the attorneys helping shape these cases—covering what happened, why it happened, what the courts are actually deciding, and what it could mean for the future of Italian citizenship by descent. If you've spent the past two years trying to make sense of changing laws, conflicting court decisions, endless speculation, and uncertainty surrounding Italian citizenship by descent, this conversation is for you. In this interview, we discuss: • Why Italy changed its citizenship law—and whether there was a better way to address the government's concerns • Why Marco believes Italians abroad represent one of Italy's greatest strengths rather than one of its greatest challenges • Why so many people with Italian ancestry have felt personally rejected by these changes—and why Marco believes that perception is based on a fundamental misunderstanding • The different roles of the Italian Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court—and why understanding the distinction matters • Why the Supreme Court's upcoming decision could become one of the most consequential developments in this entire legal battle • What "citizenship acquired at birth" really means under Italian law • Why Marco argues that retroactive changes raise fundamental constitutional concerns • The legal significance—or lack thereof—of the March 28, 2025 deadline • Prior-intent litigation, Prenotami evidence, documentary proof, and what may matter moving forward • Whether future legal challenges could ultimately reach the European level • Why Marco believes people should continue preparing their cases rather than giving up ⚖️ Throughout the interview, Marco shares his perspective as one of the attorneys directly involved in these cases, explaining not only the legal arguments, but also the broader constitutional principles that continue to shape this evolving area of Italian law. Whether you ultimately agree with every legal argument or not, this conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has been helping shape these cases before Italy's highest courts. If you found this interview valuable, please consider subscribing and sharing it with others who may benefit from it. 🌍 Learn more or schedule a consultation: https://www.italiandual.com Thank you for watching, and a sincere thank you to Attorney Marco Mellone for generously sharing his time, insight, and perspective. 00:00 Opening 02:48 Introduction 04:30 Why Marco Mellone Took On These Cases 05:52 Why Italians Abroad Matter 10:45 What Italy Got Wrong 17:20 "They Don't Know Who You Are" 22:08 Why Marco Believes the Decree Cannot Stand 30:57 Supreme Court vs. Constitutional Court 38:55 The Battle Between Italy's Highest Courts 45:40 The "Italian Solution" 49:20 What a Supreme Court Win Would Mean 51:10 Prior Intent, Prenotami Evidence & Legal Strategy 55:50 "Act as if the Tajani Decree Doesn't Exist" 59:35 How History May Judge This Moment 1:02:10 Why People Should Keep Fighting 1:04:45 When Will the Courts Decide? 1:06:45 Final Message from Marco Mellone #ItalianCitizenship #ItalianCitizenshipByDescent #ItalianDualCitizenship #JureSanguinis #ItalianLaw #ItalianDiaspora #Italy