Italy opens way for referendum on easing citizenship

ROME: Pro-migrant groups and opposition parties have collected enough signatures to trigger a referendum on easing Italy's stringent citizenship laws for foreigners, government data showed on Tuesday. The promoters of the cause want to reduce to five years from 10 the period of residence required to apply for citizenship by naturalisation, and to allow beneficiaries to pass on their new nationality immediately to their children.

The referendum request must now be reviewed by both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. If, as expected, it overcomes these hurdles, then a nationwide vote would likely be held sometime in 2025. — Reuters