The government plans to reintroduce nuclear power with the help of small, new-generation reactors being developed by the private sector, with implementing legislation for the initiative due later this year. The aim is to strengthen Italy's energy autonomy and reduce costs at a time of growing economic pressure caused by geopolitical instability.
Pressure due to geopolitical tensions
Meloni openly linked the move to tensions, including the conflict involving Iran, which the government says is contributing to higher energy prices and weighing on the economy.
"It is clear that the situation we find ourselves in - with a particularly complex international economic framework and existing geopolitical tensions - is affecting growth, energy costs, the competitiveness of businesses and the purchasing power of households," Meloni said in the Senate during parliamentary questions.
The announcement drew divided reactions from opposition parties during a Senate debate. Karlo Kalenda, leader of the centrist Accione party, welcomed the focus on energy but stressed that the scale of the crisis required a more comprehensive strategy for businesses, warning that limited measures would not be enough.
Divided opposition reactions
Stefano Patuanelli of the Five Star Movement expressed concern about the government's reliance on small modular reactors, arguing that they could generate significantly more nuclear waste and produce energy at higher prices compared to renewable sources.
Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, leader of the Italia Viva party, was even more critical, questioning the government's overall economic and geopolitical strategy. He accused it of being unprepared for the scale of the energy crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The broader opposition also called for a more structured and coordinated response to the economic consequences of the conflict, and during the debate a proposal was made to establish a cross-party "crisis headquarters" for energy and industrial policy.
Responding to the criticism, Meloni called for greater cooperation across the political spectrum to address strategic challenges. "In a difficult moment, there should be less room for polemics and more for concrete debate on the main strategic issues that concern Italy," she said.
