Italians reject referendum to shorten citizenship wait time

Italy held a two-day referendum in early June 2025, where citizens voted on five measures aimed at reforming citizenship laws and enhancing job protections. One primary proposal sought to reduce the residency requirement for children born in Italy to foreign parents from ten to five years. This reform was aimed at about 2.5 million foreign nationals struggling to gain citizenship and promote their integration into Italian society. However, voter turnout was alarmingly low, hovering around 22.7%, well below the required threshold of 50% plus one for the referendum to be valid. Many Italians seemed unaware of the issues at stake, with polls indicating only 46% awareness of the referendum topics. A significant contributing factor to this low turnout was the timing of the vote, which coincided with the first weekend of Italy's school holidays, prompting further abstention from participation. These referendums had been largely proposed by left-wing parties and unions, and the results could have played a crucial role in altering Italy's citizenship landscape, making it more aligned with other European nations. However, the failure to meet the turnout required meant that the ongoing citizenship wait for many will continue, especially as the current political climate leans towards stricter immigration policies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faced criticism for not participating in the vote, with accusations of promoting a culture of abstention among her supporters. The proposed changes aimed to integrate long-term residents more effectively into the Italian societal and political systems, potentially granting them civil and political rights like the right to vote and eligibility for public jobs. As activists voiced concerns about the lack of public debate surrounding the referendums, Italy remains at risk of creating a multi-tiered society where long-standing residents still lack acceptance and recognition.