Italy’s far-right prime minister brands surrogacy ‘inhuman’ as she calls for greater penalties
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In a recent conference in Rome, Italy’s far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, reiterated her strong stance against surrogacy, labeling it as “inhuman.” Meloni, who leads the Italian populist party, Brothers of Italy, has been a vocal opponent of surrogacy, particularly for same-sex parents and adoption.
Since winning the election in October 2022, Meloni has been pushing for stricter penalties against surrogacy in Italy, where the practice is already illegal. During the conference, she expressed her support for a bill that would make surrogacy a “universal crime,” emphasizing her belief that surrogacy is a deeply unethical practice.
Meloni’s opposition to surrogacy is part of her broader agenda to address declining birth rates in the country. She highlighted the importance of focusing on the “demographic challenge” and ensuring the “economic sustainability” of birth rates. In line with this goal, Meloni proposed increasing fines for surrogacy to €600,000 (£512,000) as a deterrent.
Additionally, Meloni called for increased public spending to support families with children, including measures such as “baby bonuses” and tax breaks. The government also pledged to make it easier for working mothers to access adequate childcare and support, signaling a shift towards prioritizing heterosexual families in Italy.
This move towards supporting traditional families aligns with Italy’s broader shift towards right-wing political populism. Recently, the government changed birth certificates to reflect traditional gender roles, replacing terms like “parent 1” and “parent 2” with “mother” and “father.”
The Catholic Church has also weighed in on the issue of surrogacy, with Pope Francis condemning the practice as a violation of the child’s dignity and the autonomy of the birth mother. The Church’s stance echoes Meloni’s views on surrogacy and underscores the conservative values that are gaining prominence in Italian politics.
Meloni’s stance on surrogacy has also led to controversial actions, such as demanding that councils stop registering children of same-sex parents. In March 2023, she called for an end to the registration of children with two mothers or two fathers, further emphasizing her opposition to non-traditional family structures.
Overall, Meloni’s strong stance against surrogacy and her focus on supporting heterosexual families reflect a broader trend towards conservative values in Italy. As she continues to push for stricter penalties against surrogacy, the debate over reproductive rights and family structures is likely to remain a contentious issue in Italian politics.
In conclusion, Italy’s far-right prime minister’s labeling of surrogacy as “inhuman” and her call for greater penalties against the practice underscore the growing influence of conservative values in Italian politics. As she pushes for policies that prioritize traditional family structures, the debate over reproductive rights and family dynamics is set to intensify in the country.
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