by Guisela Chiarella
Italy is set to hold five referendums on 8-9 June 2025, including a historic vote that could reshape the country’s strict citizenship laws. The government has confirmed the dates for these referendums, which will address key issues related to both citizenship and the labour market, coinciding with a run-off for municipal elections.
The most closely watched referendum will focus on Italian citizenship. Currently, non-EU nationals must live in Italy for at least 10 years before being eligible to apply for citizenship. The proposed change seeks to shorten this period to five years, allowing children born in Italy to foreign parents to automatically acquire Italian citizenship. This reform marks a major shift in Italian immigration policy, which has long been considered among the strictest in Europe.
The citizenship referendum has garnered significant attention, particularly after the Italian Constitutional Court gave its approval in January 2025. The ruling followed a legal battle spurred by a petition surpassing half a million signatures, initiated by Riccardo Magi, the leader of the centrist +Europa party. Magi, a strong proponent of the reform, has celebrated the court’s decision as a victory for democracy and a step toward recognizing the rights of immigrants who contribute to Italy’s social fabric. However, he has criticized the government’s decision to hold the vote in June, claiming that the summer timing may deter voter turnout, which could undermine the referendum’s legitimacy. Magi had called for the vote to coincide with the first round of municipal elections in late May.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government defended the chosen dates, citing the need to balance voter participation with the school calendar, as many polling stations are located in educational facilities. The government has also agreed to accommodate non-resident citizens, ensuring that those living abroad for study, work, or health reasons will be able to vote.
In addition to the citizenship reform, voters will decide on four other issues related to labour laws. These referendums, spearheaded by the CGIL trade union, seek to roll back key provisions of the Jobs Act, a labour market reform enacted by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in 2016. The proposed changes would impact workplace safety regulations and severance pay rules, particularly for small businesses.
For these referendums to be valid, Italy’s law requires that at least 50% of eligible voters participate. The government’s decision to schedule the votes during the summer months has raised concerns about voter turnout, especially given the historically lower levels of engagement in such referendums during holiday periods.
