1974 Italian divorce referendum

The Italian referendum of May 12, 1974 was the first regular referendum held by the Italian Republic, a whole 28 years after its foundation. The referendum was called by Christian groups to abolish the newly approved law that allowed divorce.

The Christian Democracy and the fascist Italian Social Movement proposed voting Aye, to abolish the law and make divorce illegal again; their main theme was the safeguarding of the traditional family model and "think of the children".

Most left-wing political forces, the main ones being the Italian Socialist Party and the Italian Communist Party, supported the Nay faction.

The referendum was won by the Nays, 59.3% against 40.7% Ayes, with a participation of 87.7%; divorce remained thereby legal in Italy. This referendum was considered a major victory for the civil rights movement and anti-clericalism.