The fifth question in the forthcoming June referendum proposes repealing part of the current law on citizenship, which currently sets the required period of uninterrupted residence in Italy at 10 years for a foreign adult to be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship. The goal is to reduce this to five years. By eliminating this part of the law, the requirement would return to the one introduced in 1865 and in effect until 1992 (when it was raised to 10 years). Specifically, the proposal aims to amend Article 9 of Law No. 91 of 1992.
The referendum will not affect other requisites, such as knowledge of the Italian language, having had a sufficient income to support oneself in recent years, having no criminal record and fulfilling tax obligations.
The main issues up for decision, however, in the June referendum are related to labour laws. The first question seeks to reinstate job protection in the event of unlawful dismissal, which was abolished with the Jobs Act, the labour reform introduced by the Renzi government. This would allow a worker who was unjustly dismissed to be reinstated in their job. The second matter aims to do away with the upper limit on financial compensation for workers dismissed without just cause in companies with fewer than 15 employees. In this case, the goal is to restore full discretion to judges in determining the amount of compensation based on the severity of the violation. Another referendum question aims to reintroduce stricter regulations on the use of fixed-term employment contracts, repealing recent legislative changes that made it easier for employers to use this type of contract. Voters will also decide on workplace safety, intended to increase preventive measures and employer accountability.
As with all referendums that do not concern the constitution, a quorum is required. For the result of the vote to be valid, at least 50 per cent of eligible voters must cast their ballots on June 8 (7am-11pm) and 9 (7am-3pm). Italian citizens living overseas can vote by correspondence.
These are repeal referendums, meaning that the question asks whether the voter agrees to eliminate a law or part of it. By marking an “X” on “Sì,” the voter supports the change. A “No” vote expresses the voter’s desire to keep the current law unchanged.
