The recent low voter turnout has dealt a significant blow to Italian opposition proposals aimed at reforming citizenship laws and strengthening job protection regulations. Key figures within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition noted that the outcome has bolstered the government’s position.
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According to nearly finalized data from polling stations, only about 30% of eligible voters participated in the two-day voting period. This is well below the required 50% plus one needed for the vote to be legally binding.
The results, pending the inclusion of votes from Italians abroad, are particularly disappointing for the coalition of centre-left opposition parties, civil society groups, and the CGIL trade union that supported the referendum initiatives. In contrast, this outcome represents a triumph for Ms. Meloni, who firmly opposed the proposals. “The opposition aimed to turn the referendum into a referendum on the Meloni government. The message is unmistakable: the government emerges from this stronger, and the left is decidedly weaker,” remarked Giovanbattista Fazzolari, a cabinet undersecretary and a close advisor to Ms. Meloni.
Although Giorgia Meloni visited a polling station in Rome yesterday, she chose not to cast her vote.
The opposition had hoped to harness concerns regarding labor rights and Italy’s demographic challenges to mount a serious challenge against Ms. Meloni—an endeavor that has proven difficult since she took office in 2022. “Our objective was to achieve a quorum; it’s evident that we fell short. Today is not a day of victory,” commented CGIL union leader Maurizio Landini. Nonetheless, he highlighted that millions of Italians participated in the vote, describing this number as “a starting point” for continued efforts toward change.
Initial figures indicate that approximately 35% of voters opposed easing citizenship requirements, suggesting that the ‘no’ vote could surpass expectations, particularly in contrast to other questions where a strong ‘yes’ majority appeared likely. One of the five referendum proposals aimed to reduce the residency requirement for applying for Italian citizenship through naturalization from ten years to five. This change, according to advocates, would have impacted around 2.5 million individuals.
In light of Italy’s declining birth rate, some economists argue that attracting a greater number of foreigners is essential for rejuvenating the sluggish economy, while rights groups campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote to promote the integration of migrant workers.
The four additional referendum questions sought to reverse labor market reforms enacted a decade ago and to broaden liability regulations for workplace accidents affecting companies that rely on contractors and subcontractors.
In the face of these challenges, the interaction of civic engagement and institutional response will continue to shape Italy’s political landscape.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
