Referendum 8 and 9 June: the position of Italia Viva and Azione del Terzo Polo

The referendum of June 8 and 9 proposes five questions that touch on central issues such as work and citizenship. In this context, the parties Italia Viva and Azione, also known as Terzo Polo, expressed themselves in a substantially united way. The line of both parties is not to abstain and to go to vote, but they do not all advocate "Yes" as was easy to deduce from the labor reforms in which the leaders Renzi and Calenda participated.

The specific referendum question that will surely get a “yes” concerns the reduction of the time for obtaining Italian citizenship for foreigners. On all other questions, the two political formations are opposed, with motivations that have their roots in the reforms approved during previous governments.

What Italia Viva is voting for in the referendum

The official position of Italia Viva was illustrated by Donatella Conzatti, regional coordinator and former senator. The party is in favor only of the fifth question, the one that proposes reducing the years of residency required to obtain Italian citizenship from ten to five.

“We are convinced that it is a necessary right for people who live in Italy and who live as true Italian citizens,” Conzatti said. According to her, this change would also be useful for the country to strengthen its human capital: “I believe it is a necessity for Italy to have more workforce and true talents.”

On the remaining questions, Italia Viva expresses a clear no , in particular on those related to fixed-term contracts and dismissals. According to Conzatti, these are questions that aim to weaken the Jobs Act, a labor reform passed during the Renzi government, which Italia Viva still considers a cornerstone of its policies.

Matteo Renzi's position on the referendum

Matteo Renzi , leader of Italia Viva, publicly reiterated his orientation, specifying that he will vote "yes" only on the question relating to citizenship. On the rest, he confirmed his opposition. "I will vote no on the two referendums related to the Jobs Act . Moreover, if the Cgil referendum passes, paradoxically, workers will only have 24 months of compensation, instead of 36 as today. If the yes vote passes, Article 18 will not return, but protections will be lowered".

Renzi stressed to La Stampa that the promoters' goal is to repeal rules approved by the Renzi, Gentiloni and Conte governments, and he does not think it makes sense to attack past reforms while the current government is encountering its first difficulties: "The CGIL seems more interested in arguing with the left than in sending the right home".

While criticizing the call to abstain, Renzi acknowledged that not voting is a legitimate choice: "Abstaining is completely legitimate, as is committing to not reaching the quorum. All parties have done it in the past." However, he defined the statements of the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa as "inappropriate," accusing him of behaving like a partisan player and not as an impartial referee.

What Calenda votes for in the referendum

Carlo Calenda , leader of Azione, also declared that he will only vote “yes” to the citizenship question, while he will oppose the other four questions. He confirmed to Corriere della Sera that he will take all five ballots, but will indicate only one vote in favor.

On the controversy surrounding the abstention promoted by La Russa, Calenda stated: “La Russa says one thing one day and another day another day, this is a perverse game”. He criticized the climate of ideological conflict, which in his opinion distracts from the real problems of the country, such as industry and the cost of energy.

Calenda expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the referendum tool: " Referendums are a very blunt weapon. Reaching a quorum has become impossible and so the right is given the green light to say: 'You see, we are right.'" He also defined the questions on work as part of the electoral campaign of the secretary of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini.