Italians are gearing up for a pivotal referendum that will put citizenship laws and labor market reforms on the ballot starting this Sunday. The two-day voting process will conclude on Monday, with a critical focus on whether to shorten the period for applying for Italian citizenship from ten years to five. However, there are rising concerns that turnout may be so low that it could invalidate the referendum results. The labor market portion of the referendum aims to reverse previous liberalizations that made it easier for small businesses to dismiss employees, thus elevating worker protections and severance payouts. While the labor market questions are significant, it is the citizenship issue that has garnered the most attention.
The rise of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her far-right Brothers of Italy party in 2022 highlighted existing worries about immigration in Italy, making the citizenship proposal particularly contentious. If passed, this measure could potentially impact approximately 2.5 million foreign nationals currently residing in Italy. With Italy facing a declining birth rate and a stagnant economy, many economists argue that the country requires a more substantial influx of foreign talent and labor to stimulate growth. Currently, foreign nationals can apply for citizenship only after ten years of continuous residence, requiring proof of integration, adequate income, a clean criminal record, and a basic proficiency in Italian.
In contrast, citizens from other EU member states enjoy advantages, being eligible to apply for citizenship after just four years. The debate has split opinion among political parties. Riccardo Magi, the secretary of the liberal Più Europa party, supports the proposed amendment, deeming the existing rules as outdated and unjust. He argues that the current law unjustly confines young individuals born or raised in Italy to a status of foreignness, urging the need to allow them to fully participate in their society by extending citizenship rights. For Magi, the proposed adjustments would indirectly benefit many minors, helping to establish them fully in Italian society.
Opposing this viewpoint, the centrist party Noi Moderati firmly disagrees with any changes to the citizenship laws. Vice-president Maria Chiara Fazio emphasized that citizenship represents a profound bond between the individual and the state, insisting that such significant alterations warrant thorough discussion and thoughtful parliamentary debate rather than a simple referendum. While Fazio acknowledged that some bureaucratic aspects of the current laws are problematic, she defended the overarching structure of existing citizenship requirements.
The reluctance among various political figures to support the referendum reflects broader indifference within the public; both Forza Italia and Lega leaders have openly stated they will abstain from voting, with Meloni also indicating she will attend a polling station without casting a ballot. This apparent lack of engagement has translated into broader public apathy. A poll conducted by the Demopolis institute in May highlighted that voter turnout is expected to be disappointingly low—between 31% and 39%—falling short of the required threshold to render the referendum valid and enforceable.
As the situation stands, many Italians are poised to weigh in on pivotal issues regarding citizenship and labor rights while grappling with broader sentiments of apathy and skepticism. With immigration being a hot-button topic and labor reforms crucial for workers’ rights, the outcome of this referendum could have lasting implications for Italy’s socio-economic landscape. The final days leading up to the vote will be crucial in determining whether increased public engagement can emerge and bring about a decisive change in Italian citizenship laws.
