
The recent referendum in Italy has shown an extraordinary mobilization of young people.
While total turnout reached 58.9%, among young people aged 18–28, Generation Z, turnout was 67%, and the majority voted 'No' with 58.5%.
The results show that more educated and graduated citizens were more determined to reject the changes, while ordinary workers were divided and support for “Yes” was highest among housewives. In the center of the political spectrum, support for the law reached only 31%.
The high turnout, especially among young people, is a consequence of the politicization of the referendum. The technical subject of the reform does not seem to have attracted the main interest of voters; the majority's decision was based more on the political consequences than on the specific content of the reform. A part of the voters who had not participated in the 2022 and 2024 European elections mobilized and voted “No”, increasing the impact of the results.
Analysis by age and social status shows that the highest participation is among students and young people, while the lowest is among the elderly and the economically disadvantaged. For Generation Y (29–44 years old), the highest abstention was recorded, with 47.5% of non-voters, always with a preference for "No" of 54.8%.
From a political point of view, mobilization was evident in left and right parties, while less activation was seen in the center and center-right. Only in the Democratic Party was a small pro-“Yes” discourse recorded (around 9%), while among M5S supporters around 17% voted “Yes”, although their leader supported “No”. On the center-right, some shifts were seen among Lega and Forza Italia voters, with 12% and 10% pro-“No”, respectively.
Analysis by income and social status shows that the "No" vote dominates among the more educated and economically privileged groups, while "Yes" is more popular among housewives and those with lower levels of education.
The failure of the government, and especially of the president of the Council, Giorgia Meloni, is clear, according to Corriere. Her position in recent months has reflected numerous challenges, including difficult economic conditions, rising living costs and international tensions.