Swiss National Council reverses stance, opens door to nuclear power

In a dramatic reversal, the Swiss National Council has voted to reopen the door to building new nuclear power plants, just three days after deciding to send a proposal to lift the ban back to the Federal Council for in-depth financial analysis.

The chamber experienced a sudden turn of events on Thursday morning, with a vote of 100 to 98, amidst an electric atmosphere and considerable confusion. Subsequently, the National Council approved the idea of reopening the door to new nuclear plants by a vote of 108 to 87. This represents a 180-degree turn in the country's energy policy, which had opted for a nuclear phase-out in 2017.

Behind-the-scenes negotiations have been intense since the session began, focusing on this highly emotional subject. Floor debates lasted over ten hours. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti worked tirelessly to convince lawmakers of the merits of returning to nuclear power, as outlined in the counter-proposal to the "Stop Blackout" initiative, which the National Council nevertheless called to reject. Rösti urged lawmakers to move forward, promising a report on financial impacts.

The publication of this report is expected before a potential popular vote, which could take place in March 2027 at the earliest. The Green Party had already announced its intention to launch a referendum during the debates.