Italy’s Citizenship Referendum Reopens Deep Questions on National Identity
A national referendum in Italy has stirred emotions and reignited conversations about who truly qualifies as Italian. At the center of this debate are people like Sonny Olumati — born and raised in Rome, yet still a non-citizen after nearly four decades.
The proposed referendum aims to reduce the waiting time to apply for Italian citizenship from 10 to 5 years. It would also automatically grant citizenship to children under 18 if their parents qualify. This reform could affect up to 1.4 million long-term foreign residents and their families, including essential workers in factories and homecare roles.
While many civil society groups and political parties support the change, the referendum faces a significant hurdle: it needs a 50% voter turnout to be valid. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her far-right government have refused to participate, urging Italians to skip the polls and go to the beach instead. Meloni maintains that Italy’s current citizenship laws are already generous, citing that 217,000 people received citizenship last year. However, critics point out that many of these were descendants of Italians living abroad, not immigrants who’ve built lives within the country.
For activists like Sonny, the issue goes far beyond bureaucracy. Despite being born in Italy, his status denies him access to basic rights such as voting, public sector jobs, and even hassle-free travel. “Not having citizenship feels like being rejected by your own country,” he said.
The vote has revealed broader frustrations. Insaf Dimassi, a PhD student in Bologna who moved to Italy as a baby, said her outsider status became real when she realized she couldn’t run for local elections. “They say citizenship is about merit. But what more do I have to prove?” she asked.
The government has largely downplayed the vote, and public broadcasters have given it minimal coverage. Analysts suggest this is a calculated move to suppress turnout and nullify the referendum.
Still, for many non-citizens who feel deeply Italian in identity and culture, this moment is personal. Whether the vote succeeds or not, advocates say the campaign marks the beginning of a long-overdue national conversation on belonging and representation.
“We live here. We work here. We are part of this country,” Sonny said. “Even if the vote doesn’t pass, this isn’t the end. It’s just the start.”
