The collection campaign signatures for the referendum which aims to reduce the residence time required to obtain the Italian citizenship, from 10 to 5 years, is far from reaching the goal. As of September 18, only 10,8% of the 500 signatures needed had been collected.
The referendum proposes a change to current Italian legislation, which since 1992 has required 10 years of residency for foreigners to apply for citizenship. The proposal seeks to restore the 5-year period, as it was before the reform, and as is in force in several other European Union countries.
The other requirements for obtaining citizenship, such as proficiency in the Italian language, adequate financial resources and the absence of security-related impediments, would remain unchanged.
According to estimates, around 2,5 million people could benefit directly or indirectly from the change, including minor children living with the applicants.
However, with only 54.187 signatures collected so far, the initiative is facing difficulties in reaching the necessary quorum by the September 30 deadline.
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