Nuclear power plant dispute drags on - National Council postpones decision

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• The National Council has continued the debate on lifting the ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants, but has not reached a decision.
• The SVP and FDP support the Federal Council's counter-proposal, while the SP, Greens and GLP reject it.
• The center remains divided and could become the decisive force next week.

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On Tuesday, the National Council continued its debate on the lifting of the ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants. Contrary to original expectations, it did not reach a decision on either the "Anytime electricity for all (stop the blackout)" initiative or the counter-proposal.

There were hardly any new arguments in the discussion on Tuesday; the familiar arguments clashed. As in the first part of the debate on Monday, the SVP and FDP were clearly in favor of the counter-proposal. The SP, Greens and GLP were clearly against. The center is divided on the issue of banning the construction of new nuclear power plants.

Empty seats in the National Council

The big nuclear debate - and hardly anyone is listening

The debate will continue next Monday, as Council President Pierre-André Page (SVP/FR) explained. The large chamber will then first have to decide on a motion not to enter the debate by the SP, Greens, GLP and individual representatives of the Center Party in the National Council's preliminary committee.

If the Council accepts the bill, a motion to refer it back to the National Council by the same minority of the committee could have a chance. It calls for the Federal Council to clarify the financial consequences of new nuclear power plants for the Confederation and cantons in a revised bill. The majority situation within the center group is likely to be decisive.