Italy to hold referendum on nuclear power

[kristopher]

In 1987 Italy rejected nuclear power by referendum.

ROME, June 7 (UPI) -- In a victory for anti-nuclear campaigners, Italy's Constitutional Court has cleared the way for a national referendum on the re-introduction of nuclear power.

The referendum, set for June 12-13, is expected to be a major test for Premier Silvio Berlusconi and his ruling coalition, which suffered a defeat in local elections last week.

Reviving nuclear power and reducing the country's dependence on foreign energy had been a key plank in the government's policy platform, ANSA reported Tuesday.

...Berlusconi has said deals with France for several latest-generation plants would be respected and a moratorium introduced in April following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan that caused a nuclear disaster was only in place until public fears subside.

Newly elected court ...
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/06/07/Italy-to-hold-referendum-on-nuclear-power/UPI-58411307479444/