In a significant development for Italy's immigration policy, pro-migrant organizations and opposition parties have successfully gathered the required 500,000 signatures to initiate a referendum on modifying the country's stringent citizenship laws. This move aims to address the challenges faced by foreigners seeking Italian nationality, potentially impacting millions of residents.
The proposed changes focus on two key aspects: reducing the residency requirement for naturalization from 10 to 5 years, and allowing new citizens to immediately pass on their nationality to their children. These modifications could dramatically alter Italy's demographic landscape, with organizers estimating that approximately 2.5 million foreigners would become eligible for Italian citizenship.
Italy's current citizenship law, dating back to 1992, has long been a subject of debate. The country's citizenship requirements are among the most stringent in Europe, according to the European Commission. For comparison, nations such as France, Germany, and Belgium grant nationality after just five years of residence.
The referendum initiative comes at a time when Italy faces significant demographic challenges. With one of the lowest birth rates in Europe at 1.24 children per woman and an aging population where 23.2% are 65 or older, the country's economic future is a growing concern. Economists argue that attracting more foreigners could boost Italy's anaemic economy, which is the fourth-largest in the European Union.
However, the path to reform is not without obstacles. The referendum request must first be reviewed by both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. If approved, a nationwide vote would likely take place in 2025. To be valid, the referendum would require a turnout of at least 50%, a threshold that has proven challenging in recent Italian referendums.
The political landscape surrounding this issue is complex. While right-wing parties like the Brothers of Italy and the League have historically opposed easing citizenship laws, Forza Italia unexpectedly indicated support for change in the summer of 2024. This shift in stance could potentially influence the debate and its outcome.
The success of Italy's multi-cultural athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics has reignited discussions about citizenship, highlighting the difficulties faced by children of foreign residents in obtaining Italian passports. This issue resonates deeply in a country with a rich history of both emigration and immigration, where the Italian diaspora is estimated at over 80 million people worldwide.
Italy's bureaucratic processes further complicate the situation. The European Commission reports that foreigners often wait longer than the stipulated 10 years for a passport, with local authorities typically taking 24 to 36 months to process application requests. This inefficiency contrasts sharply with Italy's reputation as a cultural powerhouse, boasting the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally.
As the referendum process moves forward, it will undoubtedly spark intense debate about Italy's future, balancing tradition with the need for economic growth and demographic stability. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for Italy's role in the European Union and its ability to address the challenges of an aging population and low productivity growth.
"Migration is not the solution to the demographic crisis."
This referendum represents a critical juncture for Italy, a nation with a rich history of cultural exchange and global influence. As the country that has participated in every modern Olympic Games since 1896 and maintains official language status in multiple nations, Italy now faces a decision that could reshape its national identity and economic future for generations to come.