Italians to Vote on Cutting Citizenship Wait Time From 10 to 5 Years in Contentious Referendum

Italians are heading to the polls Sunday for a two-day referendum on whether to accelerate the citizenship process and change labor laws—proposals opposed by the country’s conservative prime minister.

As immigration concerns mount across Europe, the citizenship question would usher in a sweeping change in Italy by cutting in half the required period of residence to apply for Italian citizenship—from 10 years to five.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to abstain from voting. Italy requires a majority of its citizens to vote in order for a referendum to pass.

“I am going to the polls because I am prime minister and it is right to give a sign of respect toward the ballot boxes and the referendum institution,” Meloni explained. “In the end, I don’t approve the contents of the referendum. And, in line with the history of our nation, when someone doesn’t agree with the contents of a referendum, there is also the option of abstention.”

Left-leaning parties and Italian unions gathered over 4.5 million signatures to trigger the referendum, citing a declining birthrate and labor conditions as justification for the changes. The referendum covers five issues, with four revolving around the labor market and one on the naturalization process.

During the second edition of “The Day of Truth” on Friday, Meloni expressed her reluctance for reducing the time of naturalization, stating that Italy was the one country in all of Europe to bestow the highest number of citizens every year.

In the middle of the interview, Meloni accused her opposition of hypocrisy by showing an old flier with a big red “NON,” from the political party Democrats of The Left. It encouraged voters in June 2023 to abstain from a previous referendum.

“As a serious party teaches us, in Italy, ‘Not voting in the referendum is my right, it is everyone’s right,’” Meloni added.

The leaders of two of the governing coalition parties, Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini of the League, have said they will not vote Sunday, following Meloni’s abstention.

Critics have said those abstaining are attempting to keep voter participation below 50% to defeat the measures.

“Meloni is afraid of participation and has understood that many Italians, even those who voted for her, will go to vote,” said Elly Schlein, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (PD), during her campaign in defense of the referendum.

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