Great news! Lega Nord's security decreto expelling EU citizens who don't get residenza (and permission to stay) within 90 days of arrival has been revoked after the European Commission denounced it.

Maroni also revoked the decreto criminalizing undocumented immigrants presence in Italy after the European Commission gave it a thumbs down.

quote:

Immigrazione e sicurezza: retromarcia del Governo sull’espulsione dei comunitari privi dei requisiti per il soggiorno, misura giudicata eccessiva dalla Commissione europea. Il ministro Maroni nell’audizione al Comitato Schengen annuncia la revoca del Decreto. Ripensamento anche sul reato di ingresso clandestino che sarà punito solo con sanzione pecuniaria e sull’aggravante di clandestinità esclusa per i comunitari.

http://www.immigrazioneoggi.it/daily_news/2008/ottobre/16_1.html

So the EU does have some teeth after all.

Actually the European Commission didn't use their teeth. Maroni backed down after the EC merely denounced the decreto. He saw the writing on the wall.

Rather than a narrow issue about the EU though, this is great news for foreigners in Italy. Lega Nord's power grab, usurping the right of free-movement of EU citizens, has failed. I hope this is not an isolated incident. I hope it means the tide has turned on the Berlusconi govt's anti-immigrant agenda. Unfortunately there is more "security" legislation currently underway in the parliament. One blocked goal does not mean the match is over.

Well, only took a day. Now Maroni is saying despite the EC, they'll pass a law expelling EU citizens here without proper paperwork. Maybe the EU needs to do more than issue denunciations.

quote:

http://www.stranieriinitalia.it/attualita-maroni_andrem...espulsioni_6138.html