Italians Vote on Citizenship and Labor Referendums Amid Low Turnout

Key Takeaways

• Italians vote on five referendums about citizenship and labor laws on June 8-9, 2025.
• The government urges abstention to block the referendums, with turnout below 16% so far.
• Referendums require over 50% turnout and majority approval to change laws on citizenship and labor protections.

Italians Face Pivotal Vote on Citizenship and Labor Laws Amid Low Turnout Concerns

Italians are casting their votes in five important referendums on June 8 and 9, 2025, with the future of citizenship laws and job protections at stake. These votes come at a time when the country is also holding local elections in several regions and cities. The referendums are seen as a major test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, especially since the government and its allies have openly urged people not to vote, hoping to keep turnout below the level needed for the results to count.

As of Sunday evening, June 8, only 15.9% of eligible voters had turned out, far below the 30.3% seen at the same point during the last successful referendum in 2011. By noon, turnout was just over 7%. With polling stations set to close at 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, June 9, there is growing concern that the referendums will fail simply because not enough people participate.

Understanding the Referendums: What’s at Stake?

These referendums are abrogative, which means they aim to repeal or change existing laws. For any result to be valid, at least 50% plus one of all eligible voters—about 25 million out of 50 million—must take part. Then, at least half of those who vote must approve the changes for them to pass.

The five questions on the ballot cover two main topics:

• Four questions about labor protections: These focus on worker rights, rules for small businesses, short-term job contracts, and making clients more responsible for safety when work is subcontracted. Three of these questions target parts of the 2016 Jobs Act, a law that changed many rules about work in Italy.
• One question about citizenship laws: This asks whether to reduce the time foreign nationals must live in Italy before they can apply for citizenship, from 10 years down to 5 years. This change would especially help children born in Italy to foreign parents and people who have lived in Italy for a long time.

Why Are These Referendums Happening Now?

The referendums are happening because many Italians, unions, and civic groups believe the current laws are unfair or outdated. Over 637,000 signatures were collected to put the citizenship question on the ballot, and more than 4 million signatures were gathered for the labor questions. This shows strong support from parts of society, even though the government is against the changes.

The Constitutional Court reviewed the questions and allowed them to go forward in January 2025. Voting began at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday and will end at 3:00 p.m. on Monday.

Who Supports and Opposes the Referendums?

The government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has campaigned for people to stay home and not vote. Meloni herself said she would go to the polling station but would not take the ballot papers, which is a way to avoid increasing the turnout.

On the other side, the referendums are supported by:

• The center-left opposition, including the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and Green & Left Alliance
• The Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), the country’s largest union
• Civic groups like the International Democracy Community
• Public figures such as singer Ghali, who was born in Milan to Tunisian parents and has spoken about how the citizenship law affects people like him

These groups argue that the referendums are a way for regular Italians to have a direct say in important laws.

How Would the Citizenship Law Change?

Italy’s current citizenship law is one of the strictest in Europe. Non-European Union nationals must live in Italy for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship. The referendum proposes to cut this period to 5 years. If passed, about 2.5 million foreign nationals could benefit, including many children born in Italy to foreign parents and long-term residents.

This change would make Italy’s rules more similar to those in other European countries. Supporters say it would help people integrate faster and feel more like part of Italian society. For many children and families, it could mean a quicker path to full rights and opportunities.

What About the Labor Protections?

The four labor questions focus on repealing parts of the 2016 Jobs Act, which was introduced by the Renzi government. The Jobs Act made it easier for companies to hire people on short-term contracts and reduced some protections for workers. Unions and many workers have criticized the law for making jobs less secure.

If the referendums pass, the following changes could happen:

• Stronger job security: It would be harder for employers to use short-term contracts instead of permanent jobs.
• More responsibility for safety: Clients who hire subcontractors would have to do more to keep workers safe.
• Better protections for workers in small businesses: Small companies would have to follow stricter rules to protect their employees.

Supporters believe these changes would make work safer and more stable, especially for people in temporary or risky jobs.

Why Is Turnout So Important?

For any of the referendums to count, at least half of all eligible voters must take part. This is called the quorum. If turnout is below 50%, the results are thrown out, no matter how many people voted “yes” or “no.” This high bar makes it very hard for referendums to succeed, especially when the government tells people not to vote.

As of the latest reports, turnout is much lower than needed. Many experts and political analysts say it is unlikely that enough people will vote for the results to be valid. If turnout stays low, the current laws will remain unchanged.

What Happens If the Referendums Fail?

If the referendums fail because of low turnout, there will be no changes to the current citizenship laws or labor protections. The government, which opposed the referendums, may see this as a political win. It could also be seen as a sign that Italians are not interested in using referendums to change laws, or that the process is too hard to succeed.

However, the opposition and unions may still claim a symbolic victory if more people vote in the referendums than voted for the government in the last general election. This could show that many Italians want change, even if the rules make it hard to achieve.

How Does the Referendum Process Work in Italy?

Here’s a step-by-step look at how these referendums reached the ballot:

1. Signature Collection: At least 500,000 signatures are needed for each question. For these referendums, over 4 million were collected for the labor questions and 637,000 for the citizenship question.
2. Legal Review: The Constitutional Court checks the questions to make sure they are legal and clear. This happened in January 2025.
3. Voting: Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday.
4. Quorum Check: At least 50% plus one of all eligible voters must participate.
5. Majority Approval: At least half of those who vote must approve each question for it to pass.

This process is designed to make sure that only questions with wide support can change the law. But many experts say the high quorum makes it almost impossible for referendums to succeed today.

What Do Experts and Analysts Say?

Many political analysts see these referendums as a test for Meloni’s government and a way to measure how engaged Italians are with direct democracy. Lorenzo Pregliasco from YouTrend points out that high abstention rates may show a gap between citizens and the referendum process. He suggests that the turnout threshold may be too high for modern Italy.

Some experts argue that the repeated failure of referendums due to low turnout shows the need to review or reform the process. They say the rules were designed for a different time, when more people took part in politics.

What Are the Implications for Different Groups?

• Foreign Nationals and Their Families: If the citizenship law changes, about 2.5 million people could get citizenship faster. This would help children born in Italy to foreign parents and long-term residents feel more secure and included.
• Workers, Especially in Precarious Jobs: Changes to labor protections could make jobs safer and more stable, especially for people in short-term or subcontracted work.
• Employers and Businesses: Stricter rules could mean higher costs and more responsibility for worker safety, especially for small businesses and those using subcontractors.
• Government and Political Parties: The outcome will affect how the government and opposition are seen. A failed referendum could strengthen the government’s position, while a high turnout—even without legal changes—could boost the opposition.

Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?

The 2016 Jobs Act was a major reform that changed how people are hired and protected at work. It was meant to make the job market more flexible, but many unions and workers say it made jobs less secure.

Italy’s citizenship law has also been a topic of debate for years. The current rule of 10 years of residency is one of the longest in Europe. Many other countries allow people to apply for citizenship after 5 years or less.

Referendums have been used in Italy to challenge unpopular laws, but the last time a quorum was reached was in 2011. Since then, most referendums have failed because not enough people voted.

What Could Happen Next?

Given the low turnout so far, it is likely that the referendums will not reach the quorum. This means no changes to the laws. However, the repeated failure of referendums may lead to calls for reform. Some people want to lower the quorum or change the process to make it easier for citizens to have a direct say.

The political impact will also be important. The results will be watched closely to see how much support the government and opposition really have.

Practical Steps for Those Affected

If you are a foreign national living in Italy and hoping for a change in the citizenship law, it is important to stay informed about the outcome. If the law does not change, you will still need to meet the current 10-year residency requirement. You can find official information about the process and requirements on the Ministry of the Interior’s website.

For workers and employers, the current labor laws will remain in place unless the referendums pass. Unions like CGIL offer resources and support for those with questions about their rights.

Summary Table: Key Referendum Details

Official Resources

• Ministry of the Interior: For official results and information on voting and citizenship laws.
• CGIL: For details on labor referendum questions and worker protections.
• More Europe (Più Europa): For information on the citizenship referendum.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of these referendums will shape the debate about how Italians use direct democracy to address important issues like citizenship and job security. The low turnout so far suggests that the current system may need to be updated to better reflect how people engage with politics today.

Takeaways and Next Steps

• If you are eligible to vote: Your participation is crucial. If turnout is too low, no changes will happen, no matter how many people support the reforms.
• If you are a foreign national: Keep following official updates to see if the citizenship law changes. For now, the 10-year rule remains in place.
• If you are a worker or employer: The current labor laws will stay the same unless the referendums pass. Check with unions or official sources for your rights and responsibilities.
• For everyone: The debate about how Italians make laws directly is likely to continue, with possible calls to reform the referendum process.

For more details on citizenship laws and how to apply, visit the Ministry of the Interior’s official page.

The 2025 referendums show both the power and the limits of direct democracy in Italy. While many Italians and advocacy groups want change, the high quorum and government opposition make it very hard to succeed. The results will have a lasting impact on how citizenship and labor rights are discussed and decided in the future.

Learn Today

Referendum → A public vote to repeal or change an existing law, requiring voter turnout and majority approval.
Quorum → Minimum voter participation (50% plus one) needed for referendum results to be valid in Italy.
Jobs Act → 2016 Italian labor law reform that introduced more flexible contracts but reduced worker protections.
Abrogative → A type of referendum aimed specifically at repealing or modifying existing laws.
Citizenship Law → Rules determining how long foreigners must reside in Italy before applying for citizenship.

This Article in a Nutshell

Italy faces key referendums on citizenship and labor laws amid historically low voter turnout. The government encourages abstention, risking invalid results. These votes could speed citizenship for 2.5 million foreigners and restore labor protections, but only if turnout surpasses the 50% quorum on June 8-9, 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com