Italy holds referendum on citizenship and labor rights

Italians vote on June 8 and 9 in a referendum on easing citizenship rules and strengthening labour laws, with Ms Giorgia Meloni’s government opposing both changes and urging people to abstain. A non-EU adult resident without marriage or blood ties to Italy must currently live in the country for 10 years before he or she can apply for citizenship – a process which can then take years.

The referendum proposal, triggered by a grassroots campaign led by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), would cut this to five years, putting Italy in line with Germany and France. Campaigners say around 2.5 million people could benefit from the reform, which is being backed by the centre-left Democratic Party. Under Italy’s Constitution, a referendum can be triggered by a petition signed by at least 500,000 voters.