Politics · Switzerland · 7 hrs ago
Swiss voters to consider lifting ban on new nuclear plants next year
Switzerland currently bans the construction of new nuclear power plants, but voters are due to consider lifting the ban next year.
A study by TA-Swiss examined public views on nuclear energy.
It found that the public is evenly split on nuclear power, with supporters currently having a slight edge.
But there is no clear majority for building new plants, and general support may not carry over to specific projects.
On public funding, 60% said they would give no state money to nuclear energy in surveys.
Political scientist Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen said political hurdles for new plants remain very high, and the funding debate could shape the arguments.
She said voters will have the final say in at least three votes, but the outcome remains uncertain.
Switzerland is due to consider lifting its ban on new nuclear power plants at a vote next year.
A TA-Swiss study found public opinion on nuclear energy is evenly divided, with supporters currently having a slight advantage.
The study’s co-author, political scientist Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen, said support for general nuclear energy does not predict support for a specific new plant.
She said 60% of respondents in two surveys would allocate no public money to nuclear energy.
Stadelmann-Steffen said political hurdles to building new nuclear plants remain very high.
- Who
- Swiss voters will decide whether to lift the ban. A TA-Swiss study examined public opinion.
- What
- The ban on building new nuclear plants is due to be put to a vote.
- When
- Next year, according to the article published on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- Not stated
Supporters of nuclear energy
Opponents of nuclear energy
Public opinion
Supporters of nuclear energy
About half of respondents support nuclear energy; supporters currently have a slight advantage.
Opponents of nuclear energy
About half of respondents oppose nuclear energy.
Public funding
Supporters of nuclear energy
Not stated
Opponents of nuclear energy
In two surveys, 60% of respondents said they would allocate no public money to nuclear energy.
SRF published an interview with political scientist Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen about a TA-Swiss study on public opinion.
Swiss voters are due to consider lifting the ban on building new nuclear plants.
- Current restriction
- Ban on building new nuclear power plants
- Public opinion
- About half support nuclear energy and half oppose it
- Public funding
- 60% said they would allocate no public money to nuclear energy
- Study
- TA-Swiss study on public opinion
- Study co-author
- Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen, University of Bern professor
1 source
What people are saying
The political hurdles for new nuclear power plants are very high
Half are in favour, half are against, although supporters of nuclear energy currently have the advantage.
There is currently no clear majority for a new plant.
60 percent of respondents in two different surveys said they would not invest a single franc in nuclear energy.