Rome - The Italian government on yesterday adopted a heavily-criticised security decree which will make it easier to expel migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship. The new bill is "a step forward to make Italy safer," far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Facebook. President Sergio Mattarella has 60 days to sign the legislation and then it goes to Parliament for approval. Presenting the decree to journalists alongside Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Salvini said the decree streamlines the rules for processing asylum requests and brings Italy into line with other EU countries. There are currently around 155,000 migrants held in reception centres, down from 183,000 at the end of 2017.

Source: Philippine Star September 24, 2018 17:15 UTC