Archived Articles

When Power asks for Silence: Italy Heads Toward Referendum on Citizenship and Labor

Archived on: January 06, 2026

In the spring of 2025, Italy finds itself at a crossroads — politically, socially, and institutionally. The country is heading toward a significant referendum on June 8–9, addressing five key questions on labor rights and citizenship. These are not marginal issues: they speak to the heart of Italy’s socioeconomic structure, impacting millions of workers and foreign residents. And yet, rather than engaging openly in debate over the content of the proposed reforms, leading parties have chosen a different tactic: encouraging abstention.