Italy's Big Vote on Citizenship Rules

Italy is in the middle of a big decision. Citizens are voting on whether to make it easier for foreigners to become Italian citizens. This vote is a big deal because it could change how long people need to live in Italy before they can apply for citizenship. The current rule says that people from outside the EU have to live in Italy for 10 years before they can apply. But if the vote passes, that time could be cut down to just five years. This change would make Italy's rules more like those in Germany and France. The vote was started by a group of people who want to make the citizenship process faster. They think it's unfair that people from outside the EU have to wait so long. But the current government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, doesn't agree. They think the current rules are fine and don't want to change them. One big question is whether enough people will vote. For the vote to count, at least 50% of eligible voters plus one more person need to show up. Some experts think that won't happen. They say that many people might not vote, which could make the whole thing pointless. Meloni has said she won't vote because she disagrees with the proposal. But she did say she would visit a polling station as a sign of respect for the democratic process. She thinks Italy's citizenship rules are already good and that the country gives out a lot of citizenships each year. Italy is facing some big problems with its population. The country is getting older, and there are fewer young people. Foreigners make up a big part of the student population in schools and a significant number of newborns. This vote could be a step towards addressing some of these issues. The vote is happening over two days, and the results will be closely watched. If it passes, it could mean big changes for many people living in Italy. But if it fails, the current rules will stay in place. Either way, it's a important moment for the country.