Interview: Explanation of Italy's Vote on Simplifying Nationalization Procedures
In less than a month, Italy will hold a landmark referendum on June 8th and 9th to ease its citizenship rules, known as "naturalisation." The proposed reform would reduce the residency requirement for non-EU adults from 10 years to 5 years, bringing Italy's citizenship process in line with countries such as the UK, France, and Germany.
According to estimates from the +Europa party, around 2.5 million residents would become eligible for Italian citizenship if the reform passes. For the reform to be valid, at least 50% of eligible voters must participate. If the quorum is met, the proposed citizenship reform will pass if the majority of votes cast (over 50%) are in favor of it.
While the "quorum" and majority requirements must be met for the referendum to pass, there is uncertainty about voter turnout. In the past, abstention rates have been high for abrogative referendums in Italy. However, some Members of the ruling hard-right coalition, who strongly oppose the citizenship reform, have publicly urged supporters to boycott the vote.
Italian citizens over 18, including those residing abroad and registered with AIRE, are eligible to vote. Voters living in Italy will go to their local polling station with a valid electoral card, while Italian nationals permanently residing abroad can vote by post.
In addition to the citizenship referendum, Italians will vote on four other issues concerning labour law provisions and workplace injuries. Voters will receive a total of five ballot papers, with the citizenship referendum asking them whether or not they want to reduce the residency requirement for citizenship applications from 10 to five years.
If the reform passes, other citizenship requirements such as proficiency in Italian, income, and a clean criminal record would remain in place. Further details and analysis of the citizenship reform's chances of passing can be found in Our Website's Italian citizenship section.
- The proposed Italian citizenship reform, aimed at easing naturalisation rules, has the potential to make around 2.5 million residents eligible for Italian citizenship if it passes.
- To be valid, at least 50% of eligible voters must participate in the referendum, and the majority of votes cast (over 50%) must be in favor of the reform for it to pass.
- There is uncertainty about voter turnout due to high abstention rates in past abrogative referendums in Italy, but some Members of the ruling coalition are urging supporters to boycott the vote, which could affect the outcome.
- Italians over 18, both those living in Italy and those residing abroad and registered with AIRE, are eligible to vote in the referendum. Voters living in Italy will vote at their local polling station, while Italians residing abroad can vote by post.
- In addition to the citizenship referendum, Italians will vote on four other issues concerning labour law provisions and workplace injuries, receiving a total of five ballot papers, with the citizenship referendum asking voters whether or not they want to reduce the residency requirement for citizenship applications from 10 to five years. If the reform passes, other citizenship requirements such as proficiency in Italian, income, and a clean criminal record would still apply. More information and analysis on the citizenship reform can be found in the Italian citizenship section of Our Website.
