Elly Schlein backs nuclear power and pledges unwavering aid to Ukraine in interview

In a July 23 interview with Il Foglio, Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein said the party has no ideological preclusion on nuclear energy, arguing that nuclear will be needed to meet a projected doubling of Italy’s electricity demand by 2050. She reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to support Ukraine militarily, describing it as an “urgent” and “unambiguous” stance, and called for a stronger, more integrated and sovereign Europe that would deepen defence cooperation and reduce national vetoes.

Schlein’s remarks were welcomed by centre‑right minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, who called the interview “excellent news” for the PD. She also linked the nuclear discussion to a broader balance between the Green Deal and industrial policy, and criticised the Meloni government’s approach while urging greater EU centralisation on strategic issues.