Italian Citizenship Referendum Fails Amid Low Voter Turnout

A referendum in Italy aimed at reforming citizenship rules for foreign nationals ended in failure on June 9, 2025, as less than a third of eligible voters participated in the poll. The measure sought to reduce the residency requirement for foreign nationals from ten years to five years before they could apply for citizenship, alongside provisions to strengthen labor rights. However, the turnout of only 30 percent fell significantly short of the 50 percent plus one vote necessary for the referendum to be considered valid.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had publicly opposed the referendum, highlighting her administration's stance against easing citizenship rules amid ongoing debates about migration and integration in Italy. Meloni's coalition partners, some of whom advocated for voter abstention, celebrated the result as a political victory.

The referendum ignited a national dialogue about citizenship and immigration policies, echoing similar discussions in the United States and across Europe. According to Dr. Marco Rossi, a political scientist at the University of Bologna, “This referendum’s failure underscores the deep divisions in Italian society regarding immigration and citizenship.”

The voting process took place over the course of two days, transitioning from Sunday to Monday, yet struggled to gather momentum, particularly as it coincided with the closure of public schools in much of the country. Historically, referendums in Italy have faced challenges; since 1990, only three out of fourteen referendums have achieved the required voter turnout.

Despite the defeat, the referendum did manage to bring attention to the plight of many foreigners in Italy. Fioralba Duma, an activist with the organization Italians Without Citizenship, expressed a mix of disappointment and resolve: “We knew it was an uphill battle, but this referendum is now part of the conversation about citizenship rights.”

With approximately 64 percent of those who voted in favor of the proposed changes, activists plan to continue advocating for reforms. “This is just a setback,” Duma noted. “The issue of citizenship is far from resolved, and we will keep pushing for change.”

The failure of the referendum reflects broader social and political dynamics at play within Italy, particularly as the country grapples with demographic decline and a rising need for labor. Economists argue that immigration is essential to address these challenges, as noted in a report by the Italian Institute for Economic Research published in April 2025.

In the international context, the outcome of this referendum may influence discussions on citizenship laws in other European nations, as many face similar dilemmas regarding integration and immigration policy. The implications of this vote extend beyond Italy, inviting scrutiny into how citizenship is defined and who gets to be included in national narratives of belonging.

As the conversation continues, the future of citizenship reform in Italy remains uncertain, but the push for change is likely to persist among various advocacy groups and political factions. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, yet the dialogue sparked by this referendum has undeniably entered the mainstream, setting the stage for future legislative efforts.