Switzerland’s lower house of parliament, the National Council, has approved plans to allow the construction of new nuclear power plants, with a final vote due on Friday and a national referendum likely to follow.

The 200-seat council approved the plans, which have provided divisive, by a vote of 100 to 98, with two abstentions.

It rejected a motion to refer the matter back to the Federal Council – the seven-member executive cabinet and collective head of state and government – for clarification of financing issues for new reactors.

The plans are part of a counter-proposal linked to a popular initiative titled “Electricity for everyone at all times (Stop the blackout)”, launched by right-leaning lawmakers and representatives of the business sector.