by Guisela Chiarella
Italy’s Constitutional Court last Monday gave the green light to a referendum aimed at making it easier for foreigners to claim Italian citizenship, marking a significant milestone in a contentious debate over immigration and national identity. The move, celebrated by advocates for reform, was sharply criticized by the country’s right-wing government.
The court’s decision came a month after the Court of Cassation ruled in favor of the referendum bid, which stemmed from an online petition that garnered over half a million signatures. Riccardo Magi, leader of the center-left +Europa party and a key proponent of the initiative, called Monday’s ruling “an immense joy.”
The referendum, expected to take place between April and June, seeks to reduce the residency requirement for Italian citizenship from 10 years to five. If passed, the reform would also allow citizenship to be automatically extended to the children of new citizens. Current legislation, enacted in 1992, requires non-EU nationals to reside legally in Italy for a decade before applying for citizenship. Additionally, children born in Italy to foreign parents must wait until their 18th birthday to apply.
Voices from Trieste
In the city of Trieste, a melting pot of cultures and a historic hub of migration, residents expressed mixed feelings about the referendum. Some welcomed the change as a necessary step toward inclusivity and fairness, while others voiced concerns about the potential impact on social services and national identity. “This reform is long overdue,” said Claudia, a local teacher. “It’s time we recognize the people who contribute to our society every day.” Meanwhile, Marco, a retired civil servant, argued that “lowering the residency requirement could strain resources and create social tensions.”
A Setback for Regional Autonomy Opponents
On the same day, the Constitutional Court delivered a blow to opponents of a controversial regional autonomy law by ruling against a proposed referendum to repeal it. The court deemed the referendum “inadmissible,” citing unclear objectives and purposes.
This decision follows months of legal and political wrangling. In November, the Constitutional Court partially invalidated the proposed referendum, but in December, the Court of Cassation approved its submission. Monday’s ruling definitively blocks the vote, leaving the law’s fate in the hands of the legislature.
The regional autonomy law, passed in June by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, grants Italy’s regions greater control over how they allocate tax revenues. Critics argue that the measure risks exacerbating the economic disparity between the wealthier north and the underdeveloped south, potentially leading to poorer public services in the latter.
Broader Implications
The dual rulings highlight the contrasting political and social challenges Italy faces. The citizenship referendum represents a push for inclusivity in a country grappling with demographic decline and an aging population. By contrast, the regional autonomy law underscores enduring divisions between Italy’s economically divergent regions.
Both issues are likely to shape Italy’s political discourse in the months ahead, as voters prepare to cast their ballots on citizenship reform and policymakers grapple with the implications of the court’s rejection of the regional autonomy referendum. As the spring referendum approaches, all eyes will be on Italy to see whether it chooses a path of inclusivity and reform or reaffirms its status quo.
