Voters in Italy fail to participate sufficiently in referendums addressing citizenship and labor laws, resulting in the initiatives not passing due to low turnout.
Low Voter Turnout Sinks Italian Referendum on Citizenship and Job Protection 🇮🇹
In a stunning setback for the Italian opposition, a referendum aimed at easing citizenship laws and tightening job protection rules failed miserably on June 10, 2025. The monumental defeat can be attributed to an alarmingly low voter turnout, according to the YouTrend polling agency.
Official tallies from around half of the polling stations revealed that only 28.9% of eligible voters participated, far short of the 50% plus one needed for a legally binding vote. This unfortunate outcome represents a victory for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who vehemently opposed the proposed changes.
The centrist coalition backing the referendum consisted of opposition parties, civil society groups, and the powerful CGIL trade union. They had pinned their hopes on leveraging labor rights issues and addressing Italy's demographic woes to scrutinize Meloni's government. However, their strategy proved ineffective, as the response to the referendum was crystal clear: Meloni's government strengthened its stance, while the opposition weakened.
One key component of the referendum sought to reduce the residency requirement for non-EU adults without marriage or blood ties to apply for Italian citizenship from the current 10 years to just 5 years. In a country wrestling with a sharp birth rate decline, this move was expected to attract more foreigners, potentially boosting a stagnant economy. On the other hand, rights groups fought vigorously for the "Yes" vote, contending it would promote the integration of migrant workers. Alas, the measure failed alongside the referendum.
The other four questions on the ballot concerned a reversal of labor market liberalizations introduced a decade ago and a broadening of liability rules for companies involving contractors and subcontractors in workplace accidents. Regretfully, these proposals also failed to secure sufficient support due to the dismal voter turnout.
Analyzing the voter demographics, YouTrend revealed that turnout was higher in wealthier northern and central regions and in large cities, whereas the less developed south showed a lower turnout. Interestingly, voting was also more prominent in areas where leftist parties performed relatively well in the 2022 general elections and the 2024 European elections.
Despite the referendum's failure, some analysts argue that if turnout had surpassed the number of voters who supported Meloni's coalition in the 2022 general election, the opposition could have claimed a symbolic victory. Nevertheless, the actual outcome solidified Meloni's position, underscoring the ongoing challenge faced by the opposition in Italy.
The failed Italian referendum on citizenship and job protection, despite being supported by opposition parties, civil society groups, and the CGIL trade union, received insufficient support due to low voter turnout, as reported by the YouTrend polling agency. This low turnout was more prominent in the less developed south, contrasting the wealthier northern and central regions.
The referendum's failure not only impacts the proposed measures related to easing citizenship laws, boosting the economy with migration, or altering labor market policies but also highlights the ongoing political divide in Italy, with Meloni's government strengthening its stance and the opposition weakening.
Following the referendum's outcome, policy-and-legislation surrounding citizenship, job protection, labor rights, and liability rules for companies will likely remain unchanged, highlighting the importance of voter engagement in shaping general-news and political discourse.
