Italian Referendums Face Bleak Prospects Amidst Low Voter Turnout

June 10th News. Italy held two highly anticipated referendums from June 8th to 9th. One aimed to make it easier for foreign children born in Italy to obtain citizenship, while the other focused on providing enhanced employment protection. However, as of the conclusion of voting, the concerningly low voter turnout has cast a shadow over the fate of both referendums, making their failure highly likely.

The core of the citizenship referendum was to reduce the required residence period for non-EU immigrants applying for Italian citizenship from 10 years to 5 years. If passed, an estimated 1.5 million foreigners would immediately meet the eligibility criteria for citizenship, including approximately 300,000 minors who could automatically acquire citizenship once their parents naturalize. This measure would significantly accelerate the integration of immigrants into Italian society, invigorate the labor market, and effectively address the long-standing identity crisis faced by second-generation immigrants. For instance, many children of foreign immigrants born and raised in Italy, having received Italian education since childhood, feel a deep connection to the country. Yet, due to their parents' nationality, they encounter various forms of discrimination in employment, social welfare, and other aspects.

Regarding employment protection, the referendum included four proposals for labor rights reforms. Initiated by major Italian trade unions, such as the CGIL, and left-wing political parties, the core objective was to overturn the labor law passed by the center-left government a decade ago. Specific reform measures included strengthening protection against unjust dismissal, ensuring employees receive greater compensation when wrongfully terminated; increasing severance pay for small businesses, safeguarding the economic interests of employees in case of job loss; promoting the conversion of short-term contracts into permanent ones, providing more workers with stable employment; and reinstating the joint liability of contractors for work-related accidents, enhancing workplace safety for laborers. The initiators believed that the previous labor law overly favored corporate interests while neglecting the rights of workers, and this reform was essential to rectify this imbalance.

Nevertheless, the referendums encountered numerous obstacles from the very beginning. Politically, they became the main arena for intense political maneuvering between the opposition parties and the government led by right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The center-right coalition to which Meloni belongs has long adhered to the concept of "cultural identity" and implemented relatively restrictive immigration policies. Her party, the Brothers of Italy, even lists cracking down on illegal immigration as a core platform. Despite the urgent need for foreign labor in Italy's manufacturing and pension systems due to severe aging, with the business community strongly advocating for relaxed foreign labor restrictions, the Meloni government still refused to support the referendums and even adopted a passive stance of "showing up but not voting." This approach was criticized by the left as "undermining democracy" because, according to regulations, if the voter turnout is less than 50%, the referendums cannot come into effect. For example, Prime Minister Meloni herself visited the polling station but did not collect a ballot, which was tantamount to abstention procedurally. Giovanbattista Fazzolari, the Secretary of State in charge of implementing the government's agenda at the Prime Minister's Office, stated, "The opposition tried to turn these two referendums into a vote of no confidence against the Meloni government. The current low voter turnout already speaks volumes. The government's foundation has become more solid, while the left-wing forces have been further weakened."

Another significant challenge was the severe lack of public participation. Polls showed that only 46% of Italians were aware of the issues involved in the referendums, and the estimated final voter turnout was only about 35%, far below the required 50% threshold. The government was seriously negligent in promoting the referendums, and the state television was criticized by the communications regulatory agency for its "inadequate coverage" of the relevant content. Additionally, the referendum period coincided with the school holidays, during which a large number of people went on vacation, further dampening voters' enthusiasm to visit polling stations. In terms of regional voter turnout, Tuscany had the highest rate, approaching 39%; Emilia-Romagna also exceeded 35%; while Trentino-Alto Adige had the lowest, less than 20%. Florence, the province with the highest turnout, reached 46%, while Bolzano, the lowest, was only 15.9%.

For Italy, these referendums were not merely simple choices regarding two policies but rather a profound national contemplation on the country's future development direction. Caught between preserving traditional identity and embracing a diverse society, as well as balancing economic realities and political stances, this aging European nation now stands at a crucial historical crossroads. The road ahead is fraught with uncertainties, and regardless of the final outcome of these referendums, they are destined to have a far-reaching and lasting impact on Italy's social, economic, and political landscapes.