2026 Summer Session: The Chambers Vote on the “Stop Blackout” Initiative 

The 2026 summer session concluded this Friday with a major highlight: the consideration of the popular initiative “Electricity for Everyone, All the Time (Stop the Blackout),” which dominated the debates in both chambers. In addition to this major issue, several other energy-related proposals also made progress.

The initiative calls on Switzerland to guarantee a sufficient electricity supply at all times, prioritizing domestic renewable energy sources and expediting procedures for strategic projects. After in-depth discussions, both chambers confirmed their support for the Federal Council’s indirect counterproposal, concluding that it meets the objectives of supply security while maintaining a balance between production, the environment, and cantonal participation. A minority in the National Council sought clarification on the financing arrangements in the indirect counterproposal.

In the final vote, the National Council approved the indirect counterproposal. The National Council adopted it by a vote of 100 to 98, following the Council of States, which had voted in favor earlier in the week.

The Federal Council’s indirect counterproposal notably provides for the revision of the nuclear framework—the counterproposal lifts the ban on building new nuclear power plants, without launching any specific projects, in order to keep this option open for the sake of security of supply.

At the same time, the Chambers made progress on other energy issues, including accelerating the expansion and modernization of the power grids and updating the incentive framework fordeep geothermal energy. These measures complement efforts to strengthen medium- and long-term security of supply.

With the decision on the popular initiative “Electricity for Everyone at All Times (Stop the Blackout),” the 2026 summer session marks a milestone for Swiss energy policy.

Fabien Lüthi, Communications, Federal Office of Energy
Image: ParlCH