2008 referendum in Lithuania

2008 referendum

(in %)

 %

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30th

20th

10

0

91.4

8.6

Yes

No

The Ignalina nuclear power plant

The 2008 referendum in Lithuania on the question of the continued operation of the Ignalina nuclear power plant took place on October 12, 2008. At the same time, the first round of the 2008 parliamentary elections was held in Lithuania . The referendum was not legally binding on the government .

prehistory

Originally, in the course of accession in 2003, the EU had obliged Lithuania to close the Ignalina nuclear power plant. One reactor has already been shut down and the remaining one should follow in the next year. But the country of Lithuania was against the shutdown of the power plant. In July 2008, the Lithuanian parliament finally passed a referendum on an extension of the term with a large majority. Even if the referendum was not binding, the MPs still hoped for a strong argumentation aid. At the time, many Lithuanians also feared that the shutdown of the power plant would make their country even more dependent on Russian energy supplies.

Question

The question asked in the referendum was the following:

"Pritariu, kad Ignalinos atominės elektrinės darbas būtų pratęstas iki techniškai saugių terminų, bet ne ilgiau, negu kol bus pastatyta nauja atominė elektrinė"

"I am voting in favor of the Ignalina nuclear power plant being extended to the end of the technically safe term, but no longer than until a new nuclear power plant has been built."

Result

With a large majority of 91.40 percent of the votes, the voters spoke in favor of the continued operation of the power plant. Only 8.60 percent were against it. The turnout was only 48.43 percent. The referendum failed because the minimum voter turnout of 50 percent was not achieved.

Result of the 2008 referendum in Lithuania

selection	be right
	number	%
Yes	1,156,738	91.40
No	108,798	8.60
total	1,265,536	100.00
Valid votes	1,265,536	96.92
Invalid votes	40,249	3.08
voter turnout	1,305,825	48.43
Registered voters	2,696,090	100.00
Source: Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania

See also

• Parliamentary election in Lithuania 2008

Web links

• Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania Official Website (Lithuanian, English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Official result of the 2008 referendum Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania (English)
2. ↑ Lithuania wants to prevent the closure of its nuclear power plant with a referendum euronews , July 14, 2008
3. ↑ http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_e?p_id=324562