On Sunday and Monday, the Italians vote for a series of referendums on labor laws reforms and accelerate the naturalization process.
The polling stations opened today, Sunday, at 07:00 am (05:00 GMT), and the results are expected to appear after the polling stations will be closed tomorrow, Monday, at three in the evening.
Most of the procedures deals with the Labor Law, including better protection against arbitrary separation, increased end -of -service bonuses, defining specific term contracts into permanent contracts, and responsibility in cases of workplace accidents.
The fifth referendum relates to the acceleration of naturalization, which allows citizenship after 5 years of residence in Italy for citizens from outside the European Union, while they have to wait for at least 10 years to submit the application.
More than 51 million people are entitled to vote in referendums, however, the results of such referendums are only binding if at least half of all qualified voters participate in it.
Several 78 referendums have been failed in Italy so far due to the low participation rate.
The position of political forces
The referendums stem from the initiatives of the trade union and the left opposition, while the right -wing coalition in Rome, led by Prime Minister Georgeta Meloni, advised his supporters not to participate.
Meloni, the leader of the largest ruler’s party, the right -wing “Italy Brothers” party, is leading a coalition of 3 right and conservative parties since late 2022.