Italian Citizenship: Referendum Fails
- An Italian referendum aimed at easing citizenship requirements and bolstering workers' rights has been declared invalid after failing to reach the required voter turnout.
- The referendum featured five questions, notably including a proposal to reduce the residency requirement for citizenship applications from 10 years to five.
- The low turnout, as low as 22% in regions such as Sicily and Calabria, represents a setback for supporters.
The Italian referendum on citizenship and workers’ rights has been invalidated due too dismal voter turnout; only about 30% of eligible voters participated.This decisive outcome fell short of the required 50% threshold, effectively stalling proposed changes, including halving the citizenship waiting period.civil society groups and trade unions backed the ballot initiative, but their efforts were undermined by widespread disinterest. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni largely ignored the vote, signaling her government’s stance on the matter.This setback highlights significant challenges for proponents of reform and points to potential adjustments to Italy’s referendum processes. News Directory 3 offers thorough updates on Italian politics. What repercussions will this failed vote trigger next? Discover what’s next…
Italian Referendum on citizenship, workers’ Rights Fails Due to Low Turnout
Updated June 09, 2025
An Italian referendum aimed at easing citizenship requirements and bolstering workers’ rights has been declared invalid after failing to reach the required voter turnout. The poll, which concluded Monday, saw approximately 30% of eligible voters participate, substantially below the 50% threshold needed for the results to be binding.
The referendum featured five questions, notably including a proposal to reduce the residency requirement for citizenship applications from 10 years to five. Civil society groups and trade unions had championed the “Yes” vote, initiating the referendum through a citizens’ initiative.
The low turnout, as low as 22% in regions such as Sicily and Calabria, represents a setback for supporters. Political polling expert Lorenzo Pregliasco of YouTrend told SkyTG24 that the turnout was below expectations. He added, “Whether just above 30% or just below 30%, this is a low figure, below the expectations and targets set by the promoters.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government largely disregarded the referendum, with meloni herself announcing a boycott and calling Italy’s existing citizenship law “excellent” and ”vrey open.”
Opposition figures, such as Pina Picierno of the Democratic Party, lamented the outcome as a “deep, serious and avoidable defeat,” handing a “huge gift to Giorgia Meloni and the right.”
Foreign minister Antonio Tajani voiced concerns about the cost of sending ballots to Italian expats, deeming it a waste. Since World War II, only about half of Italy’s 78 referendums have met the necessary threshold to be binding.
Successful referendums in Italy’s past include the 1946 vote to abolish the monarchy and later votes on abortion and divorce. The last referendum to reach the required threshold was a 2011 vote against privatizing water services.
What’s next
The failed referendum may prompt discussions about raising the signature threshold required to initiate future public votes in Italy.