Nuclear Monitor #936
Philippe de Rougemont and Louiselle Debiez
What do Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy have in common? These countries have all decided to phase out nuclear power. While some have kept their commitment, others are now showing signs of hesitation. In both cases, the nuclear lobby is pushing for a reversal, extending the life of reactors that are long past retirement age, or even simply reviving the nuclear industry. But the anti-nuclear movement has not said its last word. On the contrary, the movement is experiencing a revival, transcending borders to forge links with neighboring struggles. Ironically, opponents of nuclear power can count on the nuclear industry itself in their fight: the industrial and financial failure of the EPR in France and the United Kingdom serves as a counterexample for Italy, Switzerland, and all countries that are hesitant to reopen the nuclear chapter.
Italy: EDF lying in wait
In 1987, Italy voted in a referendum to phase out nuclear power, with 80.6% of the vote. At that time, Italy had four nuclear power plants and two under construction. In 1990, the last reactor was shut down. In 2011, Silvio Berlusconi signed an agreement with Nicolas Sarkozy to purchase four EPR reactors. A referendum held that same year put a stop to the project, with a resounding 93% voting against it.
Since 1990, the share of fossil fuels has not increased, but solar energy has taken a significant share of the Italian electricity mix, which today consists of 55% fossil fuels and 45% renewables. Before the election of Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers since 2022, the goal was to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and continue towards 100%.
Today, the Meloni government wants SMR nuclear reactors, but has not found any investors. That is why EDF did what it did in England with British Energy and bought Edison, a major electricity company in Italy. Edison then signed a “congenital” partnership with EDF to develop a Nuward SMR.
“The debate on nuclear power is a diversionary tactic to keep the public’s attention focused on maintaining the gas industry,” says Giuseppe Onufrio of Greenpeace Italy. The Italian NGO network “100% Renewable Network” has published a study [1] carried out by 25 academics demonstrating the scenario of a 100% renewable Italian energy supply. In October 2025, the network will hold a conference on this study, which reinforces the activities carried out by its member associations.
Switzerland: Trump supporters at the helm
In 2017, Swiss voters decided by a 58% majority to ban new nuclear reactors. This did not mean closing existing reactors, as in Italy, but rather allowing the five reactors to continue their countdown to closure, without a set timetable. It was an experiment in industrial geriatrics, with neighboring countries becoming guinea pigs.
Since then, the Mühleberg nuclear power plant has closed, as renovation work was deemed too expensive. Its 5% contribution to the Swiss electricity mix has been largely replaced by the exponential growth of solar power, which now accounts for 10% of the electricity mix.
Today, Switzerland’s electricity mix is 35% nuclear and 65% renewable. The import/export balance is zero. Switzerland is therefore moving towards a dangerously slow phase-out of nuclear power. The election of Albert Rösti, a Trumpian conservative who is nostalgic for the nuclear era, as head of the energy department, puts this phase-out at risk. This year, he will attempt to get parliament to approve the construction of a new reactor. While the general assemblies of the Green Party and the Socialist Party were unanimous in their opposition, all eyes are on the position of the Center Party. If it swings towards Mr. Rösti, nuclear power could once again become an option in Switzerland.
The Federal Alliance to Exit Nuclear Power brings together NGOs, political parties, the Association of Doctors for the Environment, and the Swiss Solar Energy Society. If parliament votes in favor of nuclear power, the alliance and its members will collect 50,000 signatures to submit the parliamentary decision to a public vote.
Belgium: Taking a step back to better phase out nuclear power
The shutdown of Belgium’s last reactors, scheduled for the end of 2025, should have marked the country’s exit from nuclear power, in accordance with the law enacted in 2003. This will not be the case. A new law, passed on May 15, 2025, removes all mention of phasing out nuclear power in 2025. While two of the four reactors have already been authorized to operate until 2035 (Tihange 3, and Doel 4), this bill could also open the door to extending the operation of the other two (Tihange 1 and Doel 2). Adopted by a large majority of Belgian MPs (102 votes in favor, 8 against, 31 abstentions, etc.), the text also lifts the ban on building new nuclear reactors.
However, these projects are still a long way from becoming reality. Engie, which operates the reactors still in service, has ruled out any possibility of extending Tihange 1 and Doel 2. Although the operator has committed to operating the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 reactors until 2035, it has already made it clear that it would be unrealistic to extend their operating life beyond that date.
For the Belgian anti-nuclear movement, this is not a time for discouragement but for regrouping! “We have recreated a united front between twelve anti-nuclear, climate and peace organizations to counter the propaganda and demagoguery of the nuclear lobby and the pro-nuclear right-wing government,” explains Marc Alexander of the association VAKS, Verenigde Actie Kern Stop (United Action Nuclear Stop). To strengthen the anti-nuclear struggle, this coalition plans to carry out symbolic actions but also to expand its ranks: “We need not only broader Belgian anti-nuclear fronts, but also international cooperation against this lobby.” The call has been made.
Germany: Allying with neighboring countries
On April 15, 2023, 21 years after the decision to phase out nuclear power, Germany shut down its last nuclear reactors. In early 2025, during the election campaign, the Christian Democrats pushed for the plants to be brought back online. Faced with strong public opposition (150,000 signatures collected in a few days), the advanced state of dismantling, and the firm position of the Social Democrats, who did not want to backtrack, this attempt ultimately failed.
While several battles are still being fought on German soil, notably opposition to the Framatome-Rosatom fuel plant project in Lingen and to Castor transports, the bulk of the action is now taking place beyond the country’s borders.
Armin Simon, from the German anti-nuclear movement .ausgestrahlt, is concerned about Germany abandoning its anti-nuclear stance at the European level. Like Marc Alexander in Belgium, he is calling for stronger ties between anti-nuclear associations in neighboring countries. “The Belgian government’s announcement that it would scrap its nuclear phase-out immediately sparked protests [in Germany],” the activist points out. Anti-nuclear groups in the border region are joining forces with Belgian and Dutch groups to prevent Belgium’s aging nuclear power plants from being extended.
.augestrahlt also plans to launch a study on the danger that Swiss power plants pose to Germany. “If it works well, it could increase pressure on Swiss politicians and help Swiss anti-nuclear activists,” Armin enthuses.
Published in Sortir du nucléaire No. 106, Summer 2025. Posted online on June 11, 2025, modified on February 11, 2026. The article is published in French and translated using DEEPL.
Notes
[1] Towards climate neutrality with 100% renewable electricity, 100% renewable network, 11/03/2025
