Italy is bracing for a possible historic change in citizenship rules. The Court of Cassation must decide by December 15 whether the referendum seeking to change the rules of naturalization will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court.
If approved, the referendum could be held in spring 2025, reducing the time limit from 10 to 5 years. time required for foreigners to become Italian citizens.
It is important to highlight that the referendum does not include changes to the rules of Italian citizenship jure sanguinis, that is, recognized by right of blood.
While the court decision has not been announced, political leaders and social movements have been promoting meetings in several cities.
After the first assembly in Rome Last Friday, new meetings are scheduled for December 5 in Bologna, with the participation of figures such as Pierluigi Bersani and Riccardo Magi, and December 12 in Naples, led by Mayor Gaetano Manfredi. In January, meetings will be held in Milan, Florence and Bari.
The events highlight the exclusion of children born in Italy to immigrants, who do not have access to citizenship, and discuss alternatives such as ius soli (citizenship for those born in the country) and the jus scholae (citizenship granted after completing basic education). Both proposals, however, encounter resistance in Parliament.
Strength Italy and resistance from the right
Antonio Tajani, leader of the Forza Italia party, has advocated a intermediate proposal, the ius italiae, which links citizenship to criteria such as merit and education. However, the idea faces opposition from right-wing allies such as Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, who reject changes to current legislation.
“We are facing a decisive moment to reform citizenship, but there is still much to be discussed to break down the wall of conservatism,” said Riccardo Magi, leader of the +Europe party.
Referendum: youth mobilization and social networks
The referendum campaign was driven by a strong mobilization of Generation Z, with the support of artists and influencers such as Ghali and Zerocalcare. In September, 640 signatures were collected in the last days of the campaign, exceeding expectations and consolidating the movement.
If approved, the referendum will have an impact not only on the time needed for naturalization, but also in the recognition of millions of young immigrants living in Italy without citizenship.
The referendum on citizenship could be held between April and June 2025, in the so-called “referendum day”, which will include other topics.
