ROME — An Italian referendum on granting faster citizenship to certain immigrants and seeking to strengthen labor rights failed because of low turnout, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia ...

A referendum in Italy on citizenship requirements and job protection is likely to have failed, as turnout was far below the required threshold, polling agency YouTrend said on Monday.

An Italian referendum on granting faster citizenship to immigrants has failed due to low voter turnout. Italy's right-wing government was against it and tried to boycott the democratic process.

Italian economists have said the change could also be a useful measure to address the problems resulting from Italy's aging society and low birthrate — just 12% of the population is younger than 14.

The referendum, which sought to reduce the time it takes to become a naturalized citizen from 10 years to five, failed because fewer than 50% of eligible voters took part in two days of voting.

ROME — An Italian referendum on granting faster citizenship to certain immigrants and seeking to strengthen labor rights failed because of low turnout, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia ...