Activists fear low turnout threat to Italy referendum on easing citizenship rules

Parties denounce lack of public debate on move to make it easier for Italian-born children of foreigners to be citizens

Italians are voting in a referendum on whether to make it easier for children born to foreigners in Italy to obtain citizenship, with activists saying apparently low public awareness of the vote risks rendering the result invalid if turnout is not high enough.

Campaigners for the change in the citizenship law say it will help Italians born in the country to non-EU parents better integrate into a culture they already see as theirs.