Sonny Olumati was born in Rome and has lived in Italy all his life but the country he calls home does not recognise him as its own. To Italy, Sonny is Nigerian, like his passport, and the 39-year-old is only welcome as long as his latest residence permit. "I've been born here. I will live here. I will die here," the dancer and activist tells me in what he calls "macaroni" Italian-English beneath the palm trees of a scruffy Roman park. "But not having citizenship is like... being rejected from your country. And I don't think this is a feeling we should have". That is why Sonny and others have been campaigning for a "Yes" vote in a national referendum on Sunday and Monday that proposes halving the time required to apply for Italian citizenship. Cutting the wait from 10 years to five would bring this country in line with most others in Europe. Giorgia Meloni, Italy's hard-right prime minister, has announced she will boycott the vote, declaring the citizenship law already "excellent" and "very open". Other parties allied to her are calling on Italians to go to the beach instead of the polling station. Sonny will not be taking part either. Without citizenship, he is not entitled to vote. The question of who gets to be Italian is a sensitive one. Large numbers of migrants and refugees arrive in the country each year helped across the Mediterranean from North Africa by smuggling gangs. Meloni's populist government has made a big deal about cutting the number of arrivals. But this referendum is aimed at those who have travelled legally for work to a country with a rapidly shrinking and ageing population. The aim is limited: to speed up the process for getting citizenship, not ease the strict criteria. "Knowledge of the Italian language, not having criminal charges, continuous residence et cetera - all the various requirements remain the same," explains Carla Taibi of the liberal party More Europe, one of several backers of the referendum. The reform would affect long-term foreign residents already employed in Italy: from those on factory production lines in the north to those caring for pensioners in plush Rome neighbourhoods. Their children aged under 18 would also be naturalised. Up to 1.4 million people could qualify for citizenship immediately, with some estimates ranging higher. "These people live in Italy, study and work and contribute. This is about changing the perception of them so they are not strangers anymore - but Italian," argues Taibi. The reform would also have practical implications. As a non-Italian, Sonny cannot apply for a public sector job, and even struggled to get a driving license. When he was booked for hit reality TV show Fame Island last year, he ended up arriving two weeks late on set in Honduras because he had had so many problems getting the right paperwork. For a long time, Meloni ignored the referendum entirely. Italy's publicly owned media, run by a close Meloni ally, have also paid scant attention to the vote. There is no substantive "No" campaign, making it hard to have a balanced debate. But the real reason appears strategic: for a referendum to be valid, more than half of all voters need to turn out. "They don't want to raise awareness of the significance of the referendum," Professor Roberto D'Alimonte of Luis University in Rome explains. "That's rational, to make sure that the 50% threshold won't be reached." The prime minister eventually announced she would turn up at a polling station "to show respect for the ballot box" - but refuse to cast a vote. "When you disagree, you also have the option of abstaining," Meloni told a TV chat show this week, after critics accused her of disrespecting democracy. Italy's citizenship system was "excellent", she argued, already granting citizenship to more foreign nationals than most countries in Europe: 217,000 last year, according to the national statistics agency, Istat. But about 30,000 of those were Argentines with Italian ancestry on the other side of the world, unlikely even to visit. Meanwhile, Meloni's coalition partner, Roberto Vannacci of the far-right League, accused those behind the referendum of "selling off our citizenship and erasing our identity". I ask Sonny why he thinks his own application for citizenship has taken over two decades. "It's racism," he replies immediately. At one point his file was lost completely, and he has now been told his case is "pending". "We have ministers who talk about white supremacy - racial replacement of Italy," the activist recalls a 2023 comment by the agriculture minister from Meloni's own party. "They don't want black immigration and we know it. I was born here 39 years ago so I know what I say." It is an accusation the prime minister has denied repeatedly. Insaf Dimassi defines herself as "Italian without citizenship". "Italy let me grow up and become the person I am today, so not being seen as a citizen is extremely painful and frustrating," she explains from the northern city of Bologna where she is studying for a PhD. Insaf's father travelled to Italy for work when she was a baby, and she and her mother then joined him. Her parents finally got Italian citizenship 20 days after Insaf turned 18. That meant she had to apply for herself from scratch, including proving a steady income. Insaf chose to study instead. "I arrived here at nine months old, and maybe at 33 or 34 - if all goes well - I can finally be an Italian citizen," she says, exasperated. She remembers exactly when the significance of her "outsider" status hit home: it was when she was asked to run for election alongside a candidate for mayor in her hometown. When she shared the news with her parents, full of excitement, they had to remind her she was not Italian and was not eligible. "They say it's a matter of meritocracy to be a citizen, that you have to earn it. But more than being myself, what do I have to demonstrate?" Insaf wants to know. "Not being allowed to vote, or be represented, is being invisible." On the eve of the referendum, students in Rome wrote a call to the polls on the cobbles of a city square. "Vote 'YES' on the 8th and 9th [of June]," they spelled out in giant cardboard letters. With a government boycott and such meagre publicity, the chances of hitting the 50% turnout threshold seem slim. But Sonny argues that this vote is just the beginning. "Even if they vote 'No', we will stay here - and think about the next step," he says. "We have to start to talk about the place of our community in this country." Additional reporting by Giulia Tommasi
Italian citizenship referendum polarises country
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Referendum on Italian Citizenship Sparks National Debate"
Bbc News
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In Italy, the ongoing debate surrounding citizenship has reached a critical juncture with a national referendum that proposes to reduce the waiting period for citizenship applications from ten years to five. Activists like Sonny Olumati, a Nigerian-born resident of Rome, are advocating for a 'Yes' vote, emphasizing the emotional and practical implications of citizenship. For many long-term residents, including those working in essential sectors, the current system feels exclusionary and discriminatory. Despite the potential impact of the referendum, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has chosen to boycott the vote, asserting that the existing citizenship laws are already sufficient. This stance reflects a broader political strategy aimed at minimizing public engagement with the referendum, as a turnout of over 50% is necessary for the vote to be valid. Meloni's government, known for its hard-right policies, has made significant efforts to curb migrant arrivals, further complicating the narrative around citizenship for those who have legally resided in Italy for years.
The referendum itself is framed as a modest reform, targeting long-term foreign residents who contribute to Italian society, yet it has become a flashpoint in the larger discussion about national identity and immigration. While the proposed change aims to expedite citizenship for those already meeting stringent criteria, it has faced backlash from political figures who perceive it as a threat to Italian identity. Activists like Insaf Dimassi, who grew up in Italy but lacks citizenship, express the profound frustration of being considered outsiders in a country they have always called home. The referendum has prompted a grassroots movement among young people and advocates to raise awareness and encourage participation, despite the government's efforts to downplay its significance. With the stakes high, the outcome of this referendum could set the stage for future discussions on immigration and citizenship in Italy, with activists vowing to continue the fight for recognition and rights regardless of the vote's result.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a compelling view of the ongoing debate surrounding Italian citizenship, highlighting the personal story of Sonny Olumati, a Nigerian-born resident of Italy. His situation reflects broader societal tensions regarding citizenship, immigration, and national identity. The referendum aims to reduce the time required for citizenship applications, a proposal that has sparked significant political division.
Political Polarization
The article conveys a clear divide in Italian politics regarding immigration and citizenship. Giorgia Meloni, the hard-right prime minister, is against the referendum, indicating that she believes the current laws are sufficient. This refusal to engage with the referendum reflects a broader trend among populist leaders who often capitalize on nationalistic sentiments. The suggestion from Meloni's allies to boycott the vote and go to the beach instead highlights an attempt to downplay the importance of the citizenship issue, which contrasts sharply with the urgency felt by many migrants and their advocates.
Social Implications
Sonny's narrative emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact of statelessness on individuals who have lived in Italy their entire lives. By sharing his experience, the article aims to foster empathy among readers and galvanize support for the "Yes" vote. The ongoing struggle for citizenship among long-term residents illustrates the broader challenges faced by migrants in Italy, especially given the country's aging population and labor shortages. The article subtly advocates for a more inclusive approach to citizenship, suggesting that reforming the process could benefit Italian society as a whole.
Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the referendum and its implications, it may overshadow other pressing issues, such as the challenges faced by undocumented migrants or the complexities of Italy's immigration policies. By concentrating on a specific narrative, it risks simplifying a multifaceted situation and potentially minimizing the impact of broader immigration debates.
Manipulative Elements
The article does not appear to rely on overtly manipulative language, but it does employ emotional storytelling to elicit a response from readers. The emphasis on Sonny's personal experience serves to humanize the issue, which can lead to a more sympathetic view of the referendum. However, the framing of the referendum as a straightforward solution to a complex issue could mislead readers about the challenges involved in reforming citizenship laws.
Trustworthiness of the Content
The article is largely factual, presenting Sonny's story alongside political viewpoints and the context of the referendum. However, the selection of details and the emotional framing may influence readers' perceptions, potentially skewing the narrative towards a more favorable view of the proposed changes. Overall, while the article contains credible information, its emotional appeal and selective focus suggest a moderate level of bias.
Community Support
The article resonates more with progressive and liberal communities that advocate for migrants' rights and inclusivity. It likely appeals to individuals who are sympathetic to the challenges faced by long-term residents without citizenship, contrasting sharply with nationalist groups who may view immigration as a threat.
Economic and Political Impact
The outcome of the referendum could have significant implications for Italy's economy and political landscape. A more accessible citizenship process may attract a younger workforce to counteract the aging population, potentially benefiting various sectors. Conversely, resistance to such reforms may solidify nationalist sentiments and impact political stability.
Global Context
This news piece relates to broader global discussions about migration, citizenship, and national identity, especially in Europe, where similar debates are ongoing. The focus on citizenship reform aligns with a growing recognition of the need for inclusive policies in countries facing demographic challenges.
In summary, the article sheds light on an important social issue, utilizing personal narratives to engage readers emotionally while presenting a complex political landscape. The potential for manipulation exists, primarily through the framing of the narrative and the emotional appeal, but the core of the article remains grounded in real experiences and facts.