Italy’s Citizenship Referendum: What’s at Stake for Future Generations?

As Italians head to the polls for a crucial two-day referendum, the future of millions of immigrants hangs in the balance. The proposed measures aim to expedite the citizenship process for foreigners who have legally settled in Italy.

This referendum also seeks to revise labor laws to enhance job security for workers.

Polling stations opened at 7 AM local time (05:00 GMT) on Sunday, with results anticipated after polling closes on Monday at 3 PM (13:00 GMT).

Supported by opposition groups, labor unions, and social advocates, these measures are designed to amend citizenship policies, facilitating integration for second-generation Italian residents born to non-EU parents.

However, there’s concern that voter turnout may not meet the 50% threshold necessary for the referendum to be considered valid. The issue of citizenship has gained significant traction in a country where rising immigration has been a focal point, bolstering the anti-migration platform of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition, which took power in late 2022. This topic is particularly pertinent across Western Europe and in the USA under the Trump administration.

What implications does this referendum hold for immigrants currently facing a protracted naturalization process in the European Union?

Citizenship Requirements and Immigrant Statistics

The referendum poses a critical question to the public: should the residency period required to apply for Italian citizenship be reduced from ten years to just five? If approved, this change could enable nearly 1.5 million foreigners to acquire citizenship immediately, according to estimates by Idos, an Italian research institute. This includes approximately 300,000 minors who would gain citizenship through their parents.

Approximately half of Italy’s 5.4 million foreign residents could potentially qualify for citizenship should the referendum pass.

This vote occurs against the backdrop of Meloni’s stricter citizenship regulations, which have made it increasingly difficult for immigrants to gain nationality. Currently, non-EU residents must maintain ten years of uninterrupted residency to apply for citizenship.

Moreover, children of legal immigrants can only apply for citizenship upon reaching the age of 18, provided they have lived continuously in Italy since birth.

In contrast, Italy’s citizenship laws favor individuals of Italian descent worldwide, allowing them to claim nationality, which helps to preserve ties with the diaspora. Between 2016 and 2023, more than 98,300 individuals primarily from Latin America gained citizenship based on ancestral claims.

With Italy’s birthrate significantly declining, economists emphasize the need to attract more immigrants to invigorate the economy.

Francesco Galietti from the political risk firm Policy Sonar commented that while Meloni’s administration is keen on maintaining stringent rules for identity, economic pressures are prompting businesses to advocate for an influx of foreign labor to address workforce shortages in an ageing nation.

Italy’s constitution permits citizens to repeal laws via referendums, a measure established as part of the nation’s checks and balances following the fascist era of Benito Mussolini in the 1940s.

Additional Proposals in the Referendum

The referendum also aims to make it more challenging to terminate employment and to enhance severance pay for layoffs at small businesses, thereby reversing labor policies implemented a decade ago by a prior centre-left administration.

One ballot question further addresses workplace security by reinstating joint liability for both contractors and subcontractors in cases of workplace injuries.

Campaigners, spearheaded by the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), collected over 4.5 million signatures, far exceeding the necessary threshold to invoke the referendum, which will encompass five questions—four on labor rights and one on citizenship.

“We wish to reverse a culture that has prioritized corporate interests over those of workers,” stated CGIL general secretary Maurizio Landini in an interview with AFP.

Support for the Referendum

Promoted by various smaller political factions—including More Europe, Possibile, the Italian Socialist Party, the Italian Radicals, and the Communist Refoundation Party—alongside numerous civil society organizations, the referendum also has backing from the centre-left Democratic Party, which seeks alignment with EU citizenship standards.

Studies indicate that gaining citizenship contributes positively to immigrant outcomes, linking it to lower unemployment rates, higher earnings, and decreased instances of job overqualification.

Conversely, lengthy naturalization periods may hinder these benefits, reinforcing the understanding that citizenship is not merely a reward but a vital facilitator of integration.

A substantial majority of Italians believe that citizenship acquisition is crucial for the successful integration of immigrants, with the latest Eurobarometer survey indicating that 87% support this view.

Despite potential passage, the reform will not amend the existing law considered unjust by many, which states that children born in Italy to foreign parents are unable to apply for citizenship until age 18.

Will PM Meloni Support the New Citizenship Regulations?

Left-wing and centrist opposition parties, civil organizations, and a prominent trade union have seized upon labor rights and Italy’s demographic challenges to contest Meloni’s government.

Meloni has indicated she will attend the polls but will refrain from voting—an action criticized by the left as undemocratic, as it could hamper the necessary turnout for a valid referendum.

Activists and opposition members have condemned the lack of thorough public discourse on the referendum issues, alleging that the ruling centre-right coalition is dampening interest in matters affecting immigrants and workers directly.

A recent poll from the Demopolis institute projected a turnout of only 31-39% among Italy’s roughly 50 million voters, falling short of the required threshold.

Leaders of two right-wing parties in the governing coalition, Forza Italia’s Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini of the League, have voiced opposition to the referendum. Salvini referred to it as “dangerous,” arguing it could indiscriminately extend citizenship access.

The Importance of the Referendum

Proponents argue that this reform would modernize Italy’s citizenship laws, aligning them with those of numerous European nations and boosting social integration for long-term residents.

If passed, it could allow quicker access to key civil and political rights, such as voting rights, eligibility for public sector jobs, and freedom of movement within the EU.

Italy also faces one of Europe’s most pressing demographic challenges, with a rapidly aging population—about 25% of Italians are over 65, while only 12% are 14 or younger. The outcome of this referendum could alleviate some of these pressing issues.