Italy’s far-right government has proposed holding a national referendum to decide whether to grant citizenship to certain categories of foreign-born residents, a move that has ignited debate over national identity, labor shortages, and the country’s aging population. The initiative, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, would allow Italian voters to weigh in on whether children of long-term legal immigrants should be eligible for citizenship under revised criteria.
The proposal comes amid growing economic pressure on Italy’s workforce, with businesses across sectors—from agriculture to elder care—struggling to find enough workers. Despite this demand, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has consistently opposed expanding access to citizenship, arguing that national identity must be preserved and that immigration policies should be tightly controlled.
Under current Italian law, citizenship is largely based on bloodline (jus sanguinis), meaning that being born in Italy does not automatically confer citizenship unless at least one parent is Italian. Critics say the policy leaves thousands of children born and raised in Italy in legal limbo, despite their cultural and social integration.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defended the idea of a referendum, stating it was important to let the Italian people have the final say. “This is a matter of national sovereignty and identity,” he said. “Any changes to who can become Italian must be decided democratically, not imposed by elites or interest groups.”
Human rights organizations and opposition parties have sharply criticized the move, arguing that it panders to nationalist sentiments and denies basic rights to second-generation immigrants. Elly Schlein, leader of the center-left Democratic Party, called the proposal “a dangerous and cynical distraction,” saying it would delay reforms needed to address the country’s demographic and economic challenges.
Labor unions and business leaders, meanwhile, have warned that Italy’s restrictive citizenship and immigration policies are harming the economy. With Italy’s population aging rapidly and birth rates at historic lows, many sectors are increasingly reliant on foreign-born workers, both documented and undocumented.
“Without a pathway to citizenship, we are excluding a vital part of our future workforce,” said a spokesperson for Italy’s largest industrial association. “The economy needs these people, and so does society.”
Supporters of the referendum argue that granting citizenship should require more than just residence or birth on Italian soil. “We are not against immigrants,” said a Brothers of Italy party official. “We simply believe that becoming Italian must mean embracing our culture and values.”
The proposed referendum is still in the early stages and would require approval from parliament before moving forward. If passed, it could appear on ballots as early as 2026.
Political analysts say the initiative is likely to intensify divisions in Italian society and politics. The issue of citizenship has long been a flashpoint in Italy, often intersecting with debates over race, religion, and integration.
As the debate unfolds, families of foreign origin—especially those with children born in Italy—wait anxiously for clarity on their legal futures. Many have lived in the country for decades, paid taxes, and contributed to the community, yet still face uncertain prospects under the existing legal framework.
The outcome of the referendum, if held, could reshape Italy’s national identity and set a precedent for other European nations grappling with similar questions around immigration, labor, and citizenship in a rapidly changing world.
Source; AP News
