Switzerland to hold referendum on new nuclear power plants

A referendum regarding the construction of new nuclear power plants in Switzerland has been secured. The coalition ‘Nein zu neuen AKW’ (No to new nuclear plants) reported collecting over 125,000 signatures, more than double the 50,000 required to trigger a national vote.

The referendum opposes a parliamentary counter-proposal to the ‘Jederzeit Strom für alle’ (Electricity for all at all times) initiative. While the original initiative's proponents partially withdrew their request because the counter-proposal already addresses the lifting of the nuclear power plant ban, the coalition is fighting the specific legislative path chosen by Parliament.

Supporters of the referendum include the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, the Green Liberal Party, parts of the Centre party, and organizations such as Greenpeace Switzerland and the Swiss Energy Foundation. They argue that the government and parliament are acting against the public will, citing previous votes where citizens favored a future based on renewable energy.

Conversely, the Swiss People's Party (SVP) supports the construction of new nuclear plants. While energy companies view the prospect positively, they have noted that building new plants would be uneconomical without significant state subsidies.

If the referendum is officially validated, the Swiss electorate could vote on the law as early as February 28, 2027.