Parties denounce lack of public debate on move to make it easier for Italian-born children of foreigners to be citizens
Italians are voting in a referendum on whether to make it easier for children born in Italy to foreigners to obtain citizenship, with activists saying apparently low public awareness risks rendering the vote invalid if turnout is not high enough.
Campaigners for the change in the citizenship law say it will help Italians born in the country to non-European Union parents better integrate into a culture they already see as theirs.
The Italian singer Ghali, who was born in Milan to Tunisian parents, urged people to vote in an online post, noting that the referendum, held over Sunday and Monday, risks failure unless at least 50% plus one of eligible voters turn out.
“I was born here, I always lived here, but I only received citizenship at the age of 18,” Ghali said, urging a yes vote to reduce the residency requirement from 10 to five years.
