Italy is set to take significant steps toward the reintroduction of nuclear energy, as Premier Giorgia Meloni announced plans for the government to approve a framework this summer. Addressing parliament on Wednesday, Meloni highlighted the shift towards employing latest-generation small reactors developed by the private sector, marking a potential return to nuclear power for a country that had turned away from it following a referendum after the Chernobyl disaster four decades ago. An enabling law to facilitate this transition is expected to receive approval in the coming months, aimed at enhancing energy autonomy and reducing costs, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
In her remarks to the Senate during Premier Time, Meloni extended an invitation to opposition parties for cooperation on crucial national issues, including employment, healthcare, and electoral reform. Despite the opposition’s dismissal of this overture, Meloni emphasized her commitment to addressing priorities such as wages, business incentives, and the birth rate. She noted a positive trend under her government, with a decrease in precarious employment and an increase in stable jobs. Meloni stressed the importance of making Italy an attractive option for young people, seeking to reverse the trend of brain drain.
Meloni further insisted that the solution to raising wages lies in enhancing collective bargaining processes. She also reported substantial progress in the utilization of funds from the European Union’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), with 76% of the funds allocated having been spent by the end of March. This, she asserted, is indicative of the government’s effective management in deploying these resources.
The premier’s remarks were not without contention, as she engaged in a clash with Italia Viva (IV) leader and former premier Matteo Renzi over the government’s housing plan. The dispute highlighted ongoing tensions within the political landscape as Italy navigates these significant policy developments.