Voting has begun in Italy on referendums aimed at easing citizenship rules and strengthening labor protections. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is a vocal opponent, urging Italians to abstain from participating. The proposal includes reducing the residence requirement for non-EU nationals to apply for citizenship from ten to five years, a significant change for the 2.5 million foreign nationals in Italy. Critics argue Meloni's stance could lead to low voter turnout, thus invalidating the referendum, while her policies continue to focus on limiting undocumented immigration.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is urging Italians to abstain from voting in referendums that could relax citizenship rules and enhance labor protections.
The citizenship question on the ballot suggests reducing the residence period required for non-EU nationals to apply for Italian citizenship from ten to five years.
Meloni's refusal to vote has drawn criticism from the left, who argue it undermines democratic processes by potentially leading to a low turnout.
More than 213,500 individuals acquired Italian citizenship in 2023, highlighting the ongoing relevance of citizenship laws in immigration discussions.
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