Alto Adige – also known by the German name of Südtirol – is an autonomous province in northern Italy where more than half of the population speaks German as their first language.
Rome harshly rejected Austria‘s proposal despite it being a key part of the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) manifesto during the 2017 elections.
Former Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) spokesperson Heimo Lepuschitz said: “For the Freedom Party, Sudtirol is a part of Austria and has always been part of Austria. They recognise the border, there will be no problem but for them the Sudtirolians – the German and Ladin South Tyroleans are Austrian.
Mr Lepuschitz said the new Austrian coalition Government has made the offer to show it was going to deliver on its electoral campaign promise to “change Austria”.
Speaking to RT, the strategy consultant said: “The Freedom Party promised it in their campaign and the Freedom Party has to send signs it is changing Austria, the Austrian Government and Austrian politics.
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“That’s what they are doing.”
FPÖ MP Werner Neubauer announced that Vienna would issue Austrian passports to those Italian citizens who self-identified as German speakers in Italy’s declaration of linguistic affiliation.
Mr Neubauer said: “Sudtirolians will be able to ask for Austrian citizenship by 2018 – 2019 at the latest. Details will be set out by a special committee.”
But Italian officials have rebuked the plans, with European Parliament President Antonio Tajani dismissing the pledge as a “fanciful move”.
Mr Tajani told Italian programme Tg3: “It’s wishful thinking, it would not help defuse tensions. Europe has many defects but it’s no longer time for nationalism.”
And the leader of right-wing party Brothers of Italy Giorgia Meloni slapped down Wien for the “shameful affront”.
Writing on her personal Facebook, Ms Meloni said: “Alto Adige is Italy. Austria should know its place and should not dare to try any illegal invasions.
“Brothers of Itlay will put up barricades in Alto Adige, in the Italian Parliament and other institutional headquarters and demands President Sergio Mattarella’s intervention to stop this undignified slight.”