Italian Prime Minister Cracks Down on Surrogacy
In a bold move, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is taking a strong stance against surrogacy, deeming it “inhuman” and advocating for harsher penalties. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has proposed a bill that would further criminalize surrogacy, imposing fines of up to $1 million and prison sentences of up to two years.
Meloni’s Stand
The Prime Minister made her views clear at a conference in Rome, stating, “I continue to believe that surrogacy is an inhuman practice.” She expressed her support for the bill that would make surrogacy a universal crime, aligning her position with that of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis Speaks Out
Pope Francis also condemned surrogacy, emphasizing that it violates the dignity of both the child and the woman involved. He criticized the practice for treating women as mere means for the gain or desires of others.
Focus on Birth Rates
The conference Meloni attended aimed to address Italy’s declining birth rates. Her government is committed to reversing this trend by providing better support for working mothers, including access to childcare and other resources.
Support for Families
Meloni is advocating for increased public spending to support families, proposing initiatives such as baby bonuses and tax breaks for families with children. Her government has already reduced taxes on essential baby items like formula and diapers.
Controversy Surrounding LGBTQ+ Rights
The move to criminalize surrogacy has sparked controversy, with many viewing it as a targeted attack on the LGBTQ+ community. Italy, known for its conservative views, only legalized same-sex unions in 2016 and still does not allow gay couples to marry, in line with the Catholic Church’s teachings.
Changing Birth Certificates
Under Meloni’s leadership, birth certificates in some communities have been altered to reflect traditional gender roles, replacing terms like “parent 1” and “parent 2” with “mother” and “father.” In a controversial move, names of lesbian mothers were even removed from birth certificates in certain regions governed by her party.
