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On Sunday 8 and Monday 9 June, citizens are called to the polls to vote on five abrogative or repeal referenda – they are so called because they decide whether to retain or repeal a law or decree that is part of the legislature and already implemented.
They coincide with local elections in several Italian regions and municipalities.
The referenda, proposed by trade unions and civic organisations, touch on issues that have generated political debate in recent years, in particular the labour market reform, mainly of the 2016 Jobs Act, and migrant reception and integration policies.
The first four issues are related to the job topic and concern increasing protection of workers, small enterprises and their obligations towards employees, short-term contracts, and the responsibility of clients towards sub-contracting parties and employees’ safety.
The fifth question concerns the period of time necessary to be eligible for Italian citizenship, proposing to reduce it from 10 to 5 years.
Government parties opposed the referenda, with some politicians urging citizens not to go to the polls.
Analysts say the vote is a test for Giorgia Meloni’s executive.
‘Citizens’ initiative’
For the referenda to be valid, a quorum must be reached: at least 50% plus one of all eligible voters must participate.
According to the advocacy group International Democracy Community, the referenda can be characterised as a citizens’ initiative:
“The referendum questions were proposed through a bottom-up approach, and did not come from Parliament. Members of the Europa+ party launched the initiative on the citizenship question, whilst the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) has been the initiator of the Jobs Act ones, with support from the Democratic Party, the Five Star Movement, and the Green & Left Alliance.”
Voting is taking place from 07:00 to 23:00 on Sunday and from 07:00 to 15:00 on Monday.
At 12 noon, with almost all sections verified, turnout stood at just over 7%, raising concerns about a successful outcome. In 2011, the last time the quorum was reached in a referendum, 11.6% had voted by that time.
Video editor • Sertac Aktan