Italy Bans Surrogacy Abroad Amid Protests

Italy's parliament has enacted a law criminalizing overseas surrogacy, a move championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party. This legislation, which passed with a vote of 84-58 in the Senate, extends a long-standing ban on surrogacy to include those traveling to countries where the practice is legal, such as the U.S. and Canada. Opponents argue that the law disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ couples, who often rely on surrogacy to start families, and reflects a broader conservative agenda aimed at promoting traditional family values. Violators of the new law could face prison sentences of up to two years and fines reaching €1 million. Activists have condemned the law as discriminatory and harmful, particularly in light of Italy's declining birth rate. The legislation has been met with protests and criticism, with opponents denouncing it as a regression in family rights and an infringement on personal freedoms.