Italy plans June vote on citizenship for 2.5 million

Italy will hold a referendum on June 8-9 to decide if the residency requirement for foreign nationals applying for citizenship should be reduced from 10 years to 5 years. This change could grant citizenship to about 2.5 million foreigners. The referendum was initiated after over 500,000 signatures were collected by opposition parties and pro-migrant groups. The ruling Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, opposes the change but must proceed with the vote following a court ruling. For the proposal to pass, more than 50% of voters must participate, and a simple majority is needed. Proponents had hoped to align the referendum with local elections on May 25-26 to boost turnout, but the government chose a different date.