The year 2025 has become a turning point in European politics when fundamental principles such as democratic legitimacy, social rights, and political participation were reopened for debate at both local and supranational levels. In this context, the local elections and referendum processes that coincided in Italy during the same period have opened to question not only domestic political balances but also the European Union’s (EU) compatibility with democratic depth and unity principles. The local elections held in Italy in 2025 and the simultaneously organized citizenship and workers’ rights referendums were shaped by an analytical culture where political balances were redefined and democratic functioning was tested. At the intersection of these two events, the rise of the center-left alliance and the legitimacy gap resulting from low participation presented a striking story.
In the first round elections held in 31 major municipalities at the end of May, the center-left coalition declared victory in 9 important cities.[1] Among these, Silvia Salis won in Genova with 52% of the votes, while Alessandro Barattoni prevailed in Ravenna with 58%.[2] This result showed that the center-left gained significant momentum in major cities and could resist traditional center-right alliances.
The center-left coalition formed under the leadership of the Democratic Party (PD) led by Elly Schlein can be said to have gained increasing confidence both in local governments and in social perception. Schlein’s statement “We win when we are united” made the weight of support felt immediately after the victory in Genova.[3] These victories constituted a source of morale not only at the municipal level but also in terms of the groundwork for the general elections to be held in 2027.
The referendum held on June 8-9 aimed to reduce the citizenship period from 10 years to 5 years and strengthen workers’ rights. However, the total participation rate remained only at 30.6%, which caused the referendum to be considered invalid. Particularly the indifference to the citizenship clause showed the inadequacy of public awareness. It was pointed out that activists drew attention to this issue; it was stated that voters were “unaware of political debates” regarding children’s citizenship process.[4]
The Meloni Government turned this situation to its advantage. The people’s boycott call and low participation strengthened the legitimacy of Meloni’s coalition forces while reinforcing referendum authority. It was stated that Meloni consolidated her political power and that there was a lack of capable mobilization within the left bloc supporting the referendum.[5]
Despite the low participation rate, the results of the citizenship and workers’ rights referendum can be evaluated as an “incomplete mandate” for the PD. PD Leader Elly Schlein argued that the number of those who voted in the referendum was higher than those who voted for the Meloni Coalition. This claim can be interpreted as a symbolic political gain. However, it is obvious that the political meaning of this rhetoric alone is limited; because the majority of citizens invalidated the process by not participating in the referendum.
The contradiction between the center-left’s power gains maintained locally and the motivation experienced in national demands is noteworthy in terms of democratic functioning. While success in local elections reflected the people’s confidence in the center-left at the local level; low participation in the referendum process showed that the same bloc fell short in its ability to transform mass demands at the national level. The analysis of this picture is valuable not only in terms of Italian domestic politics but also in terms of populism, solidarity, and participation dynamics in European democracy.
The low participation in the referendum revealed the limitations of democratic functioning. Many experts argued that the high participation threshold should be reviewed; particularly stating that the legitimacy of referendums could be questioned in cases of low participation. Public indifference to the issue and media inadequacy came to the agenda especially with the complaint made by the Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) on the grounds that broadcasters did not provide balanced information flow.[6]
This situation created a basis for questioning the effectiveness of democratic transparency and participation channels. Some segments of society were deprived of information regarding “citizenship” processes, therefore institutional decisions did not find correspondence among the people. This showed that democratic legitimacy is a process beyond mere numerical support.
When evaluated at the EU level, Italy’s this process reflects Europe’s transformation in migration, integration, and social rights debates. While similar citizenship rights clauses are accepted in other Western European countries, historically resilient bureaucratic limits and social conservative reflexes came to the fore in Italy. This situation contains uncertainties regarding Italy’s “being in the same boat” in terms of integration models in Europe.[7]
In summary, the election and referendum process in Italy carried both opportunity and warning qualities for the center-left. Competition gains at the local level provided important contributions in terms of political energy and social confidence. However, the weakness of democratic participation at the national level showed that political messages did not find correspondence among the people and that demands were not institutionalized. During this period when the center-left achieved significant gains at the local level, the low participation experienced in citizenship and workers’ rights referendums revealed the increasingly widening distance between democratic representation and popular will. Particularly despite the rising political profile of the center-left alliance, the people’s reluctance to participate in reforms presented a contradictory picture regarding Italy’s political transformation capacity.
In this context, both the center-left’s successes at the local scale and the invalidation of the referendums showed that politics in Italy is tested not only by partisan and structural successes but also by social mobilization and legitimacy grounds. Italy’s this dual process reflects not only its own internal political evolution but also the rising participation crisis, representation problems, and social cohesion debates throughout Europe. Therefore, these developments experienced in June 2025 can be evaluated as a reflection of a multi-layered transformation quest in the context of democracy, citizenship, and social justice in Italy beyond short-term political outcomes.
[1] “Italy’s centre-left hails wins in local elections”, Wanted in Rome, https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-centre-left-hails-wins-local-elections.html#google_vignette, (Date Accessed: 20.06.2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Giadana Zampano, “Italy’s referendum on citizenship and job protections fails because of low turnout”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/italy-referendum-vote-citizenship-labor-law-meloni-government-opposition-d2c2b8ccfa96d27ab759cce2b4d72389, (Date Accessed: 20.06.2025).
[5] “European elections to test Renzi’s chances to reform Italy”, Euractiv, https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/european-elections-to-test-renzi-s-chances-to-reform-italy/, (Date Accessed: 20.06.2025).
[6] Jamie Mackay, “Italy’s citizenship referendum could make the country fairer. It’s a miracle it’s happening at all”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/05/italy-citizenship-referendum-government-italians, (Date Accessed: 20.06.2025).
[7] Ibid.
