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Upper House votes for nuclear power

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 06:30

Federal Palace, Bern - file image

The battle on whether to build new nuclear power plants is hotting up - the upper house of parliament has voted to go ahead despite the lower house asking the Federal Council for more financial details.

The Council of States voted 28 to 16 against the motion back to the Federal Council. 

Energy Minister Albert Rösti warned of serious supply problems without new plants, noting that around 30% of our electricity comes from nuclear power. 

The National Council must now decide again this week. If it votes to send the bill back to the government, that would be a final decision.

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