Premier Meloni Defends Decision to Abstain from Voting in Upcoming Referendums While Attending Polls
Rome: Premier Giorgia Meloni on Thursday explained her decision to attend the polling stations for five upcoming referendums concerning workers’ and immigrant citizenship rights but to abstain from voting. She stated that while it is respectful to participate in the democratic process by going to the polls, abstention remains a right for all voters.
According to Ansa News Agency, Meloni had announced on Monday her intention to visit her voting station for the referendums scheduled for June 8 and 9 but clarified she would not pick up her ballot paper. This decision indicates she will not contribute to the votes reaching quorum. The referendums aim to abolish several regulations, including four related to labor legislation and one concerning the citizenship rights of non-EU citizens in Italy. Notably, a ‘yes’ vote on the citizenship issue could reduce the residency requirement for non-EU citizens to apply for Italian citizenship from ten years to five.
Meloni stated, “I will go to the polling station but I will not collect the ballot. It is one of the options.” This stance has drawn criticism from opposition parties, with the center-left Democratic Party accusing her of mocking the Italian people, while the 5-Star Movement labeled her position as outrageous yet unsurprising.
Expanding on her viewpoint, Meloni said, “Why did I choose to say that I will go to the polls but will not collect the ballot? I simply said that I will go to the polls because I am a prime minister and I think it is right to give a sign of respect towards the ballot boxes and the referendum institution.” She emphasized that disagreement with referendum contents is a valid reason for abstention, a right she believes is shared by all Italians.
The Jobs Act referendums, specifically, seek to restore rights that were stripped from workers under former premier Matteo Renzi’s administration, including the removal of Article 18 of the workers’ statute, which mandated the reinstatement of unfairly dismissed workers. Meloni’s government has urged people to boycott the referendums.
On Thursday, Meloni also expressed her strong opposition to reducing the citizenship qualification period and reaffirmed her confidence in her government’s stability, stating that it would remain in power until the legislative term ends in 2027, unaffected by the outcomes of upcoming regional polls.