Italy: A Newcomer with a Positive Attitude?

In: Journal of refugee studies, Band 13, Heft 1, S. 91-104

Abstract

This paper examines the development of Italian asylum policy, especially in the light of major changes in Italian politics & Italy's shift from being a country of emigration to a country of immigration. The last general elections in 1996 were won, for the first time, by a coalition of Center-Left-oriented parties (Ulivo). An analysis of the asylum policies of previous & current governments is developed. Refugee-related issues moved up the political agenda in the 1990s, especially after mass influxes of displaced people from eastern countries & from the Middle East. The programs of the two main party coalitions that ran for the 1996 elections are scrutinized as well as the actions of the coalitions that formed governments. Policy at both national & European Union levels is analyzed. Currently there is a new bill of law in place through which Ulivo is trying to enforce the constitutional rule on asylum & broaden awareness of the importance of European Union policy on asylum. This marks a turning point in Italian policy on asylum, but nevertheless, neither a complete & deep understanding of the issue, nor a clear policy, has yet been developed in Italy. 2 Tables, 23 References. Adapted from the source document.