Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni announced on Wednesday that the government is set to approve a framework for reviving nuclear power in Italy by this summer. Following the country’s decision to abandon nuclear energy after a referendum post-Chernobyl disaster nearly 40 years ago, Italy now aims to harness the latest-generation small reactors from the private sector to reintegrate nuclear energy into its power sources. Meloni confirmed that an enabling law for this initiative will be approved in the coming months, emphasizing the move as a step toward achieving greater energy independence and reduced costs, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Addressing the Senate during Premier Time, Meloni extended an invitation to the opposition to collaborate on pressing national issues, including employment, healthcare, birth rates, and the formulation of a new electoral law. However, this gesture was reportedly dismissed by the opposition. She reiterated that boosting wages, business incentives, and birth rates remain top priorities for her administration. Meloni also highlighted successes under her leadership, noting a decline in precarious work and an increase in stable employment, advocating for Italy to become more appealing to its youth amid concerns over a worsening brain drain.
Furthermore, Meloni underscored the importance of raising Italian wages through enhanced collective bargaining. She reported that by the end of March, 76% of the funds allocated by the European Union for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) had been utilized, a testament to the government’s effective management of these resources. This financial stewardship, she argued, reflects positively on her administration’s performance.
In the realm of housing policy, Meloni engaged in a contentious exchange with Matteo Renzi, leader of the centrist Italia Viva (IV) party and former prime minister, over the government’s housing plan. The debate underscores the ongoing challenges and divergent views within Italian politics as the government navigates its broader policy agenda.