An Italian politician, Dario Franceschini, has proposed a law to automatically assign newborns their mother’s surname upon birth, challenging a centuries-old tradition and igniting a heated debate.

Franceschini, a former culture minister from the center-left Democratic party, believes that this legislation would rectify a historical injustice.

His proposal follows a 2022 ruling by Italy’s constitutional court that deemed the practice of newborns automatically taking their father’s surname as “discriminatory and harmful to the identity of the child.” The court suggested that children should be given both parents’ surnames in the order they decide, unless they agreed to choose just one. In cases of indecision or disagreement, a judge would make the final decision.

To implement the court’s ruling, new legislation was required before Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition came to power. Franceschini argues that instead of solely adopting the mother’s or father’s surname or creating lengthy double-barrelled names, a law should be established for babies to have only their mother’s surname.

Franceschini states, “It is a simple matter and also compensation for a centuries-old injustice that has not only had symbolic value but has been a cultural and social source of gender inequality.”

In Italy, as well as in many other countries, children are traditionally registered with their father’s surname. The mother’s surname is usually allowed only if the father is absent from the child’s life.

Franceschini plans to present the bill in the coming days, which has provoked anger among members of Meloni’s coalition.

Matteo Salvini, the leader of the far-right League, reacted in fury, claiming that the proposal is an attempt to “wipe fathers off the face of the Earth” and suggesting it would solve all problems.

Federico Mollicone, from Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, argues that the proposal would shift the balance “from patriarchy to matriarchy.” However, he is open to the idea of children assuming both parents’ surnames.

Pierantino Zanettin, from the Forza Italia party, sees the proposal as “a provocation aimed primarily at media attention,” while Giulia Bongiorno, from the League, advocates for a balanced approach that doesn’t make either parent invisible.

Most opposition members have applauded Franceschini’s proposal, except for Carlo Calenda, who leads the centrist Azione party. He questions the priority of this issue, asking, “Don’t we have any other concerns?”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/26/italy-newborns-mothers-name-proposal