Long after seeing millions of Italians emigrate as they fled poverty and war, Italy has now become a country to which millions of people have migrated, its schools and neighborhoods filling with Africans, Asians, Latin Americans and Eastern Europeans.
Yet many here say the law has not kept up with this dramatic demographic and social change, still making it too hard for immigrants to become Italian.
On Sunday and Monday, Italians will be called to vote in a referendum to decide whether to reduce the legally required residency in the country to five from 10 years in order to be able to apply for citizenship.
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But for the referendum to pass, a majority of Italian voters must turn out, with most of them voting “yes.” Many observers are skeptical that will happen in a country where turnout is low.
Interesting details, too:
Supporters of the referendum accused Italy’s state broadcaster, Rai, of largely avoiding debates or reports about the referendum, though Rai said that it covered the referendum much more than the one in 2022.
Politicians opposed to changing the citizenship rules have said they won’t vote.