Almost Two-Thirds of Italians Indicate Not Voting in June's Referendums, According to a Survey
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Italy set for nationwide referendums on June 8 and 9, with surveys suggesting over half the voters may abstain. The five referendums, which include a landmark vote on expediting citizenship processes, are expected to fall short of the necessary 50% turnout to validate their outcomes.
According to a poll conducted by Youtrend for news site HuffPost Italia, only 32% of eligible voters plan to participate in the upcoming referendums. The poll, which surveyed over 2,000 participants, found that the lowest turnout is anticipated among supporters of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, with an estimated 13% expected to vote.
The referendums encompass four questions related to labor law provisions, as well as a high-profile vote on halving the current 10-year wait time for naturalization claims, bringing it down to five. If the turnout fails to reach the 50% mark, the referendums will be automatically deemed void, regardless of their respective outcomes.
The low expected turnout is partially attributed to calls from prominent figures within Meloni's government to boycott the referendums, most notably the citizenship vote. In a recent statement, MEP Roberto Vannacci of the anti-immigration League party stated that the referendums must fail, justified by their likely negative impact on the current government. Similarly, Grazia Di Maggio of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party labeled the referendums as a "clumsy attempt to sabotage the government."
Members of the center-left coalition backing the referendums have voiced concerns about the government's attempts to promote abstention. Riccardo Magi, leader of the +Europa party, criticized the hard-right coalition's coordinated strategy to boycott the referendums, characterizing it as a demonstration of a lack of awareness of the institutions and their roles. The Democratic Party's leader, Elly Schlein, urged Italians to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing the potential benefits for the country's future as the referendums could help combat job insecurity, improve workplace safety, and facilitate citizenship for those residing or choosing to settle in Italy.
In light of the low expected turnout, analysts suggest that the referendums might not produce valid results. If successful, the citizenship referendum could potentially benefit over 1.4 million non-EU residents, according to a recent study. The upcoming referendums carry significant implications for Italy's future, particularly with regards to labor laws and facilitating the path to Italian citizenship for millions of residents.
- The upcoming Italian referendums, including one that aims to expedite citizenship processes, are expected to face low turnout, with only 32% of eligible voters planning to participate according to a Youtrend poll.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's supporters, particularly those aligned with her government's parties, the League and Brothers of Italy, are anticipated to contribute to the lowest turnout, with an estimated 13% expected to vote.
- The referendums, which also cover labor law provisions, are likely to be deemed void if the turnout fails to reach the 50% mark, as per the law and regardless of their respective outcomes.
- Prominent figures within Meloni's government, such as MEP Roberto Vannacci and Grazia Di Maggio, have publicly stated that the referendums must fail, citing their potential negative impact on the government.
- The center-left coalition backing the referendums has voiced concerns about Meloni's hard-right coalition's strategy to boycott the referendums, with leaders Riccardo Magi and Elly Schlein urging Italians to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing the potential benefits for the country's future, particularly in terms of job security, workplace safety, and streamlining the path to Italian citizenship for millions of residents.
