In Switzerland, voters in a referendum have rejected an effort to hasten the process of phasing out the country's nuclear power plants. About 55 percent of voters turned down the initiative, with 45 percent favouring it in a vote that was part of the Swiss system of direct democracy giving citizens a final say on important issues.<br/><br/>The plan, backed by the Green Party, would have meant closing three of Switzerland's five nuclear plants next year, with the last shutting in 2029. As part of an energy plan that runs through 2050, the Swiss government has already agreed not to replace its existing nuclear plants, which can operate as long as they are deemed safe.<br/><br/>But anti-nuclear advocacy groups have said, the Government's timetable has not been fast enough and pushed for the referendum to speed up the planned exit.