Italy holds referendum on relaxing citizenship rules Labor Rights News

Italians have voted for a referendum on relaxing citizenship rules and strengthening labor protection amid concerns that voters will have low turnout.

Voting begins on Sunday and continues until Monday.

The ballot citizenship question asks if Italians will return with less residency required to apply for Italian citizenship over five years due to naturalization.

Without marriage or blood relations with Italy, residents of Union countries outside of Europe must now live in the country for ten years before applying for citizenship.

Supporters say the reforms could affect around 2.5 million foreigners living in the country and bring Italian citizenship laws along many other European countries, including Germany and France.

The measure was proposed by major Italian unions and left-wing opposition parties.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said he would be on the ballot but would not vote. The left has criticized the left as anti-ethnic, as it doesn’t help them reach the turnout needed by one of the eligible voters to enable the vote.

Italian far-right brother Meloni is prioritizing and opposes reducing undocumented immigrants while increasing the number of immigrants’ work visas.

She said Thursday that the current system is “a greatest law among the most open in the sense that it has been around for many years within the European countries that grant the most citizenship each year.”

According to statistics, more than 213,500 people acquired Italian citizenship in 2023, doubling it in 2020, doubleping the EU total.

Over 90% are outside the EU, originating mainly from Albania and Morocco, as well as Argentina and Brazil, and are two countries with large Italian immigrant communities.

Even if the proposed reforms pass, it will not affect immigration laws that many consider to be the most unfair.

Born in Milan to Tunisian parents and an outspoken advocate for changing children’s laws, Italian singer Gali has urged his fans to back up the proposal as a step in the right direction.

“I was born here. I’ve always lived here, but I only received citizenship at the age of 18,” Gali said on Instagram. “Yes, I ask that the five years of life here be sufficient, not a part of this country, not ten.”

Michelle Ngongmo, a cultural entrepreneur and advocate for diversity in the fashion industry, also urged a “yes” vote.

“This referendum is really about dignity and rights that belong to. This is important to many people born here and who have contributed much of their adult life to Italian society. For them, the lack of citizenship is like an invisible wall.”

“You’re enough to pay taxes and pay, but you’re not fully recognized as Italian. This will be a handicap for the younger generation, especially in the creative field, creating a huge waste of frustration, elimination and possibilities,” she told The Associated Press.

Four other measures regarding voting address labor laws, including improving protection against termination, paying retirement benefits, converting them into permanent contracts, and liability in the case of workplace accidents.

A poll released in mid-May showed that only 46% of Italians are aware of the issues pushing for the referendum. Vote turnout forecasts were even weaker, with around 35% of the more than 51 million voters well below the required quorum.

Many of the 78 referendums held in Italy in the past failed due to low turnout.

The polling station opened on Sunday at 7am (05:00 GMT) and results were expected after the votes closed at 3pm (13:00 GMT) on Monday.