by Guisela Chiarella
Italy is preparing for a series of pivotal referendums next month that could reshape the nation’s citizenship laws and labor protections. Scheduled for June 8–9, the five referendums include a high-profile vote on easing the requirements for non-European Union citizens to obtain Italian citizenship, alongside proposals aimed at repealing elements of recent labor legislation.
The outcome of the votes hinges not only on public support but also on voter participation. For any of the abrogative referendums—those that seek to repeal existing laws—to be considered valid, turnout must exceed 50 percent of eligible voters, or roughly 25 million people.
Historically, reaching that quorum has proved difficult. Of the last nine abrogative referendums held in Italy over the past 30 years, only one, in 2011, surpassed the turnout threshold. That referendum resulted in the rejection of plans for nuclear energy and water privatization, with 54 percent voter participation.
Citizenship Reform at Center Stage
The most closely watched of the five referendums seeks to reduce the residency requirement for non-EU nationals applying for Italian citizenship from 10 years to five. If approved, the new law would allow non-EU residents to obtain citizenship after five years of legal residency, and their children would automatically be granted citizenship as well.
Current legislation, dating back to 1992, requires a decade of legal residency before a non-EU citizen can apply, while children born in Italy to foreign parents must wait until age 18 to apply for naturalization.
The campaign for this referendum was launched through an online petition that gathered over 500,000 signatures, surpassing the threshold required to prompt a national vote.
Labour Laws Under Review
The remaining four referendums focus on rolling back components of the 2016 Jobs Act, a sweeping labor reform introduced under former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The proposed changes include:
- Reinstating stronger protections against unlawful dismissal
- Eliminating compensation caps for unfair dismissal cases at small businesses
- Reintroducing tighter controls on fixed-term employment contracts
- Enhancing employer accountability in workplace safety regulations
Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL, spearheaded the campaign for the labor-related referendums, arguing that recent reforms have weakened job security and workers’ rights.
Political Tensions Rise
Italy’s right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has made no secret of its opposition to the referendums. The coalition has not only declined to endorse the proposed changes but is also promoting abstention as a political strategy, particularly with respect to the citizenship referendum. By urging supporters to stay home, the government hopes to keep turnout below the quorum threshold, thereby nullifying the results.
The outcome of the referendums could have significant implications for Italy’s social fabric and labor market. Supporters argue the proposed changes reflect a necessary modernization of outdated laws, while critics warn of unintended economic and societal consequences.
With just weeks to go, the campaign is intensifying, and all eyes are on whether Italians will show up at the ballot box to determine the country’s future direction.
