The Dismal Vote: Italy's Recent Referendums and Their Lethargic Turnout
Over two-thirds of Italians are expected to abstain from voting during June's referendums, according to a recent poll.
As Italy braced itself for five referendums, including a pivotal vote on easing citizenship rules, a pulse survey by Youtrend painted a grim picture: only a third of eligible voters are planning to vote come June 8th-9th [1], [4].
These referendums encompass four votes on labour law amendments and a closely-watched citizenship vote, aimed at halving the waiting time for naturalization claims from the current ten years to five [1], [4].
The Polling Predicament
The poll, conducted by Youtrend for HuffPost Italia, provides a disheartening outlook, validating the longstanding concern that these referendums may not be able to reach the necessary voter turnout of over 50% for the results to be valid. Failure to attain this quorum means the votes will be automatically declared void, irrespective of their outcomes [1].
The Right's Silent March
It appears right-wing voters are taking cues from key figures in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, who have called for a boycott of the referendums, particularly the citizenship vote [1].
Youtrend estimates that only 13% of right-wing voters are likely to show up to vote on June 8th-9th. This figure drops to 12% when considering supporters of Meloni's party, the Brothers of Italy, alone [1].
The Left's Resolute March
Contrastingly, turnout among left-wing voters is expected to be high. According to Youtrend, up to 82% of Democratic Party (PD) voters and around 77% of Greens and Left Alliance (AVS) supporters are likely to vote in the upcoming referendums [1].
Centrist parties such as +Europa, Azione e Italia Viva are projected to see a drop in turnout, with estimates of around 50% [1].
Political Fuel
The government's efforts to promote abstention are causing a stir among the coalition supporting the referendums [1]. Members from Italy's ruling coalition have been vocal about their decision to boycott the referendums, with MP Roberto Vannacci from the anti-immigration League party declaring the referendums "must fail" [1].
Grazia Di Maggio of the Brothers of Italy also criticized the referendums, terming them a "clumsy attempt to sabotage the government" [1].
The Call to Action
The centre-left coalition's strategic boycott has sparked outrage among supporters of the referendums. Riccardo Magi, leader of the +Europa party, urged people to vote, stating that the right's "coordinated strategy" showed "a lack of awareness of the institutions and role they hold" [1].
The Democratic Party's leader, Elly Schlein, also emphasized the importance of participation, urging Italians to vote and "take part in a vote that can improve the country's future by fighting job insecurity, increasing workplace safety, and awarding citizenship to those born in or choosing Italy as their forever home" [1].
Looking Ahead
The outcome of the June referendums carries important implications for Italy, with the potential for substantive changes in the labor market and citizenship requirements. The low turnout, however, serves as a reminder that political divisions and regional biases can impact participation in direct democracy. As Italians prepare to head to the polls, the stage is set for a critical test of public opinion and a significant milestone in the nation's democratic journey.
[1] Luisa, G. (2025). Italy's referendums: Low turnout feared as government calls for boycott. The Local Italy. https://www.thelocal.it/20250605/italy-referendum-low-turnout-boycott-giorgia-meloni-voting
[3] Rubin, P. (2025). Italy's referendum: A battle line between left and right. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/8/italy-referendum-a-battle-line-between-left-and-right
[4] Zelón, L. (2025). Italy's citizenship referendum: A blow to the left or a chance to correct course? The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/europe/article-italy-citizenship-referendum-a-blow-to-the-left-or-a-chance-to-correct/
- The low voter turnout for Italy's referendums, including the pivotal vote on easing citizenship rules, is raising concerns as only a third of eligible voters plan to participate.
- Youtrend estimates that 82% of Democratic Party (PD) voters and around 77% of Greens and Left Alliance (AVS) supporters are likely to vote, while only 13% of right-wing voters and a mere 12% of supporters of Meloni's party, the Brothers of Italy, are expected to show up.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government and key figures have advocated for a boycott of the referendums, particularly the citizenship vote, which may be contributing to the low voter turnout.
- Government efforts to promote abstention have sparked criticism from supporters of the referendums, with leaders such as Riccardo Magi from +Europa party and Elly Schlein from the Democratic Party urging Italians to vote and participate in the democratic process.
- The outcome of the June referendums could lead to significant changes in Italy's labor market and citizenship requirements, but the low turnout may impact the results' validity, as the necessary voter turnout of over 50% has not been met.
