Switzerland’s Council of States, its upper house of parliament, has rejected a motion to refer a divisive nuclear bill back to the Federal Council with a vote now expected this week on whether the European country will allow the construction of new reactors.

The National Council had earlier asked for additional information from the Federal Council on the financial implications of the proposal to allow the construction of new nuclear power plants.

The National Council said it had referred a counter-proposal from the Federal Council back to the Federal Council. The Council of States has now narrowly voted by 28 to 16, with one abstention, to reject that motion.

On Monday, following a marathon debate, the National Council had voted by a narrow margin of 100 to 97 with two abstentions in favour of referral.