Fwd: [ICAN] Resolution on nuclear disarmament rejected in the Italian Parliament
Ellen Thomas
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| Subject: | [ICAN] Resolution on nuclear disarmament rejected in the Italian Parliament |
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| Date: | Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:39:06 +0100 |
| From: | Francesco Vignarca - Rete Italiana Pace e Disarmo <francesco...@retepacedisarmo.org> |
| To: | ICAN Campaigners <ican-cam...@googlegroups.com> |
Dear friends
For the first time, however, the participation of Italian ‘assets’ in the nuclear sharing programme has been recognised in a ‘semi-official’ manner, so we will try to use this as a starting point to obtain more information and stimulate public debate (everyone knows about the presence of warheads in Aviano and Ghedi, but there had never been any formal and official confirmation...).
Below is an automatic translation of the Press Release we issued yesterday > https://retepacedisarmo.org/2025/la-camera-respinge-risoluzione-su-disarmo-nucleare-rammarico-di-rete-pace-disarmo-e-opacita-su-coinvolgimento-italiano-nel-nuclear-sharing/
Ciao
Francesco
The Chamber rejects resolution on nuclear disarmament: regret expressed by Rete Pace Disarmo and lack of transparency regarding Italy's involvement in 'nuclear sharing'
The Italian Peace and Disarmament Network expresses its deep regret at the rejection by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the resolution – first signed by Hon. Laura Boldrini – in favour of nuclear disarmament, which was also inspired by the “Italia Ripensaci” (Italy, Think Again) campaign commemorating the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was a missed opportunity to define a positive role for Italy in building a truly shared security based on international law.
The resolution proposed recognising the growing instability of the current global scenario, marked by a renewed nuclear arms race, and promoted fundamental international norms such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), in its complementarity with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and possible ways of defining “no first use” nuclear policies. Such policies would be crucial, in a context of global growth and modernisation of nuclear arsenals, to reduce the risk of accidental escalation and to build greater predictability and cooperation.
True international security and the security of each individual country (including Italy) can never be based on the threat of nuclear destruction of entire cities and populations, nor on the passive acceptance of doctrines that explicitly envisage the possibility of a “first use” of atomic weapons. Instead, it is necessary to promote a mature and transparent public debate, based on a genuine commitment to people's security.
The government's response, in justifying its rejection of the Boldrini Resolution, contains a surprising element: for the first time, explicit reference is made to Italy's participation in NATO's nuclear deterrence mission through “dual-capability assets”, i.e. aircraft and pilots trained in the use of nuclear weapons, thus confirming a national contribution to the Atlantic nuclear sharing mechanism that had never before been officially confirmed (nor defined in terms of financial impact). This is a politically significant admission, which nevertheless comes without any real parliamentary or public debate in the country on this form of direct participation in the Alliance's nuclear strategies.
Given that public opinion is clearly opposed to the presence and potential use of nuclear weapons, as shown by all public opinion polls and the growing institutional support for the Appeal of the Cities of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and “Italia, Ripensaci” (signed by over 130 municipalities and two regions), the lack of transparency represents a serious democratic vulnerability.
The government's response not only confirms without hesitation its full adherence to NATO's nuclear deterrence strategy, but also openly admits Italy's contribution to nuclear sharing. This is an admission of great political significance, but it comes without Parliament and the country ever having had a serious debate on the choice to be an active part of a doctrine that also contemplates the “first use” of nuclear weapons. Accepting this approach as inevitable (which makes it clear that behind the word “deterrence” lies a real “blackmail” with the most destructive weapons in history) means renouncing any form of political autonomy on an issue that directly concerns Italy's security and constitutional values," comments Francesco Vignarca, campaign coordinator for Rete Pace Disarmo (Peace and Disarmament Network).
"Are we “allies” or “subjects” in NATO? Is it really impossible to propose, even within the Alliance – starting with a transparent and democratic public debate on the presence of nuclear weapons on our territory – possible alternatives to the idea that our security must necessarily be based on the possibility of the complete and genocidal destruction of a presumed adversary? The Italian government and NATO itself continue to repeat that they are in favour of total nuclear disarmament: it is time to move from empty declarations to action, building a concrete path towards the banning of nuclear weapons," concludes Vignarca.
In this regard, Rete Pace Disarmo (in line with what has always been stated by the “Italia, ripensaci” campaign promoted with Senzatomica) reiterates that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is not an ideological norm, but a concrete tool that puts people's lives at the centre, including innovative measures such as support for victims and environmental remediation. Similarly, the No First Use proposals are a pragmatic step towards lowering international tensions and reducing the chances of a nuclear conflict, whether intentional or accidental.
We will therefore continue to work to ensure that Italy can contribute to a new era of cooperation on disarmament, promoting information, awareness and constructive and responsible dialogue. Change is possible: it requires political courage, vision and the willingness to respond transparently to the calls for peace from civil society and Italian public opinion.
