Referenda on Labour and Citizenship Rights Fails to Reach Quorum in Italy
The turnout for five referenda concerning labour and citizenship rights in Italy was a mere 2,915, with only 27,943 out of the total 61,591 polling stations counted, according to the interior ministry. Voting closed at 3 PM on Monday. To be valid, these referenda required a quorum of 50% plus one vote.
Government officials have suggested that the outcome represents a significant defeat for the center-left opposition, who argued that the successful passage of these referenda would have effectively issued an eviction notice to Giorgia Meloni's government.
The referenda, which were primarily proposed by Italy's largest and most left-leaning trade union, CGIL, aimed to abolish several regulations related to labor legislation. This included three regulations stemming from the 2016 Jobs Act, which was designed to liberalize the labor market, as well as one regulation concerning the rules for non-EU citizens seeking Italian citizenship.
A 'yes' vote on the citizenship initiative would have reduced the required years of residence in Italy for non-EU citizens to apply for citizenship from 10 years to just 5 years.
Despite the weight of the issues at stake, Meloni did not participate in the voting process; she visited her polling station on Sunday but controversially chose not to collect her ballot paper, which contributed further to the turnout's inadequacy in reaching the required quorum.
In a bid to minimize participation, government officials had actively urged Italians to avoid the polls and instead enjoy their time at the beach, thus underscoring their opposition to the referenda.
The failure of these referenda highlights the ongoing tensions within Italian politics, particularly between the current administration and left-leaning parties, and raises questions about public engagement in the legislative processes that affect their lives.
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