But the discussion has only just begun: the FDP brushes aside the revival of the nuclear power plant

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New nuclear power plants are still not allowed to be built in Switzerland. The FDP clearly rejected the proposal on Thursday. The Liberals had demanded that the ban on nuclear power plants be removed from the Energy Act – just six years after voters decided to phase out nuclear power.

A referendum is also necessary for new nuclear power stations, says party spokesman Matthias Samuel Jauslin (61). Therefore, the application can be approved. It is also hoped that more research will then be possible. But the FDP was not heard in parliament. While the left opposed new nuclear power plants, Priska Wismer-Felder, 53, a national councilor from the center, said the FDP threw away all the state’s political inhibitions and ingratiated themselves with the SVP. This issue must be discussed in a democratically legitimized process.

SVP Energy Minister Albert Rösti (56) also rejected the application. There is agreement that existing nuclear power plants should continue to operate for longer. But: “Let’s not all ask to define the energy mix for 2040 here.”

New energy quickly

Rösti is probably not concerned with a fundamental rejection of nuclear power plants. By amending the Energy Act, he mainly wanted to accelerate the construction of renewable energy sources such as wind, water or solar energy. Nowadays it can take up to twenty years for a facility to be approved; according to opinion this is far too long. A referendum, which would certainly have taken place if there had been a ‘yes’ vote on nuclear power stations, would be extremely difficult because it would cause even more delays.

So other suggestions also fell by the wayside. The FDP and SVP wanted to limit the association’s right to complain. Only large associations with more than 50,000 members or three smaller associations together would be allowed to file complaints against new solar, wind or hydroelectric power stations. SP state councilor Martina Munz (67) called it a “frontal attack”. She is president of Viva Aqua, a small environmental organization that would be directly affected. With success: the tightening did not find a majority – the acceleration of energy production can continue unabated.

There will be a discussion about nuclear power plants

The new decision – which must first be submitted to the Council of States – continues the discussion about energy supply. And even though the nuclear-critical Swiss Energy Foundation welcomed another defeat for the right-wing nuclear lobby, the discussion about new nuclear power plants has only just begun.

The “Blackout Initiative” will likely be tabled by SVP and FDP politicians in 2024. The initiators want to enshrine in the constitution that all climate-friendly forms of electricity generation are permitted. This would also make it possible to build new nuclear power stations.

The Federal Council around Energy Minister Rösti must respond to this. A counterproposal even seems possible. Then the discussion really begins: the FDP appears to be much more nuclear-friendly in the new legislature. Together with the SVP, which supports new nuclear power stations, it is not yet enough for a majority in parliament – but with some dissidents from the other parties it will be exciting.

Source:Blick