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Referendums in Italy: The Questions Voters Are Being Asked and Why the Results May Not Matter
- Italians voted in five referendums on citizenship laws and job protections on Sunday, June 8, 2025, with low turnout reported.
- The vote followed ongoing debates over citizenship reform for second-generation children of foreign parents amid Italy's declining birthrate and migrant integration issues.
- Campaigners said the reforms would aid integration, but some ruling coalition members called for abstention, while activists criticized a lack of public debate and balanced media coverage.
- By Sunday evening, turnout reached 22.7%, well below the required quorum of over 50%, and half the comparable 2011 referendum level, threatening the results' validity.
- The low participation suggests the referendums may fail despite potential political shifts, as victory depends on turnout surpassing the 12.3 million voters of the 2022 general election.
12 Articles
12 Articles
In the face of the defeat that we suffered in the referendums meritoriously promoted by the CGIL, I think it is appropriate to make a thorough reflection on the reasons for this result. In the low turnout, it has undoubtedly weighed the choice of the government and of a large part of the media to obscure the issue by avoiding it becoming the subject of a public debate, of a confrontation on the merits. All complicated by the distrust towards the…
Schlein says 14 mn voted, we'll talk again at elections
Centre-left opposition Democratic Pary (PD) leader Elly Schlein on Monday played down the failure of five referenda on labour and citiznship rights to treach a quorum by observing that over 14 million Italians had taken part in the vote, more than the numb... (ANSA)
The referendums on labour law and migration in Italy do not reach the necessary quorum. The central right coalition of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni can thus win over the left opposition.
The consultation, promoted by trade unions and the opposition of the left, requires the participation of at least half plus one of the electors and by Monday the almost 61,600 enabled schools will open only eight hours, until 15.00 (local time).
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources are Center
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