The upcoming referendum in Italy aims to reshape the nation’s citizenship laws by reducing the time required for citizenship applications, igniting a debate on the nature of national identity and inclusion. Advocates argue that the changes are essential for long-term foreign residents, while the government’s hard-right populist factions raise concerns about national identity.
Italian Citizenship Referendum Sparks National Debate
Italian Citizenship Referendum Sparks National Debate
Italy's citizens face a crucial referendum on citizenship laws as long-time residents seek rights denied by their birth country.
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Sonny Olumati was born in Rome to Nigerian parents and has lived in Italy for 39 years, yet his status remains foreign in the eyes of the Italian state. Without citizenship, Sonny, who works as a dancer and activist, feels constantly rejected by the country he regards as home. “I've been born here. I will live here. I will die here,” he expresses, grappling with the painful impotence of being denied a citizenship that many equate with belonging.
This sentiment fuels the campaign for a "Yes" vote in the upcoming referendum scheduled for Sunday and Monday. The proposal aims to halve the required residency time for citizenship from 10 years to just five, aligning Italy more closely with many other European nations. However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, representing the hard-right faction of Italy’s political landscape, has declared her intention to boycott the vote, asserting that the existing citizenship laws are already “excellent” and “very open.”
Meloni’s allies are encouraging citizens to skip the polls entirely, instead opting for leisure activities like spending time at the beach. The irony is palpable for Sonny, who cannot participate in the vote due to his lack of citizenship.
The question of who is entitled to claim Italian identity has always been sensitive, especially amid rising migrant and refugee arrivals through the Mediterranean. Meloni's government has made waves by advocating for stricter control over migrant influx, while this referendum is specifically designed for legal long-term residents contributing to Italy’s workforce, amid a shrinking population.
Despite the current strict criteria remaining unchanged—such as requirements of language proficiency and criminal background checks—the proposed reform would expedite the citizenship process for many who already contribute to Italian society. According to Carla Taibi from the liberal party More Europe, around 1.4 million residents could potentially gain citizenship under the new law. This change is seen as a way to redefine these individuals from being perceived as outsiders to full participants in Italian culture.
The implications are far-reaching: Sonny struggles to find public sector employment and has faced bureaucratic hurdles simply to obtain a driving license. These practical complications underscore how citizenship status shapes lives in everyday contexts.
Meloni’s dismissal of the referendum was initially met with scant media coverage, echoing concerns about the lack of a substantial oppositional campaign which complicates a fair discussion of the issue. Analysts believe that the ruling party strategically hopes to sabotage voter turnout—more than half of the electorate must participate for the referendum to be valid.
While Meloni later claimed she would visit a polling station to honor the democratic process, she made it clear she would abstain from voting, reinforcing her opposition to the referendum's objectives. She pointed out that Italy granted citizenship to over 217,000 immigrants last year, but many of those came from countries like Argentina due to ancestry, rather than actual habitation, prompting critics to question the inclusivity of such statistics.
Issues of systemic racism loom large for advocates like Sonny, who recounts experiences of delays and lost paperwork in his citizenship journey, attributing them to a broader climate of discrimination against non-white immigrants. Another activist, Insaf Dimassi, also expresses the frustration of being seen as “Italian without citizenship,” having moved to Italy as a child only to find herself navigating the convoluted process of acquiring her citizenship years later.
“Not being allowed to vote, or be represented, is being invisible,” Insaf states, as the weight of non-participation weighs heavily on those who have called Italy home for decades.
As the referendum approaches, many activists see it as the beginning of a longer struggle for recognition and rights. Events in the lead-up, like student-led demonstrations calling for a “Yes” vote, reflect a growing mobilization among those advocating for change, even as they face the reality that turnout may fall short without sufficient awareness or interest.
“It’s a tough fight,” Sonny affirms. “But whether the vote is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, we are still here, and we will continue to push for our place in this society.”
Sonny Olumati was born in Rome to Nigerian parents and has lived in Italy for 39 years, yet his status remains foreign in the eyes of the Italian state. Without citizenship, Sonny, who works as a dancer and activist, feels constantly rejected by the country he regards as home. “I've been born here. I will live here. I will die here,” he expresses, grappling with the painful impotence of being denied a citizenship that many equate with belonging.
This sentiment fuels the campaign for a "Yes" vote in the upcoming referendum scheduled for Sunday and Monday. The proposal aims to halve the required residency time for citizenship from 10 years to just five, aligning Italy more closely with many other European nations. However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, representing the hard-right faction of Italy’s political landscape, has declared her intention to boycott the vote, asserting that the existing citizenship laws are already “excellent” and “very open.”
Meloni’s allies are encouraging citizens to skip the polls entirely, instead opting for leisure activities like spending time at the beach. The irony is palpable for Sonny, who cannot participate in the vote due to his lack of citizenship.
The question of who is entitled to claim Italian identity has always been sensitive, especially amid rising migrant and refugee arrivals through the Mediterranean. Meloni's government has made waves by advocating for stricter control over migrant influx, while this referendum is specifically designed for legal long-term residents contributing to Italy’s workforce, amid a shrinking population.
Despite the current strict criteria remaining unchanged—such as requirements of language proficiency and criminal background checks—the proposed reform would expedite the citizenship process for many who already contribute to Italian society. According to Carla Taibi from the liberal party More Europe, around 1.4 million residents could potentially gain citizenship under the new law. This change is seen as a way to redefine these individuals from being perceived as outsiders to full participants in Italian culture.
The implications are far-reaching: Sonny struggles to find public sector employment and has faced bureaucratic hurdles simply to obtain a driving license. These practical complications underscore how citizenship status shapes lives in everyday contexts.
Meloni’s dismissal of the referendum was initially met with scant media coverage, echoing concerns about the lack of a substantial oppositional campaign which complicates a fair discussion of the issue. Analysts believe that the ruling party strategically hopes to sabotage voter turnout—more than half of the electorate must participate for the referendum to be valid.
While Meloni later claimed she would visit a polling station to honor the democratic process, she made it clear she would abstain from voting, reinforcing her opposition to the referendum's objectives. She pointed out that Italy granted citizenship to over 217,000 immigrants last year, but many of those came from countries like Argentina due to ancestry, rather than actual habitation, prompting critics to question the inclusivity of such statistics.
Issues of systemic racism loom large for advocates like Sonny, who recounts experiences of delays and lost paperwork in his citizenship journey, attributing them to a broader climate of discrimination against non-white immigrants. Another activist, Insaf Dimassi, also expresses the frustration of being seen as “Italian without citizenship,” having moved to Italy as a child only to find herself navigating the convoluted process of acquiring her citizenship years later.
“Not being allowed to vote, or be represented, is being invisible,” Insaf states, as the weight of non-participation weighs heavily on those who have called Italy home for decades.
As the referendum approaches, many activists see it as the beginning of a longer struggle for recognition and rights. Events in the lead-up, like student-led demonstrations calling for a “Yes” vote, reflect a growing mobilization among those advocating for change, even as they face the reality that turnout may fall short without sufficient awareness or interest.
“It’s a tough fight,” Sonny affirms. “But whether the vote is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, we are still here, and we will continue to push for our place in this society.”
