Italy can hold a referendum on the planned re-introduction of nuclear power after a ban introduced by a 1987 vote following the Chernobyl disaster, the Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday.
The referendum against government norms aimed at allowing construction of nuclear power plants, which was proposed by the opposition Italy of Values party, was found to be "admissible", the court said in a statement.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced shortly after regaining power in 2008 that Italy would begin building nuclear power stations again to reduce the country's high level of dependence on foreign oil and gas supplies.
The government is currently planning to start building the power stations in the next few years with the start of production targeted for 2020.
Italy rejected nuclear power in a 1987 referendum after Chernobyl and debate on where the new plants could be located has been very heated.
The Constitutional Court in November struck down a bid by three regions to ban nuclear plants from their territory due to strong public opposition.
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