Lithuanian Government rejects nuclear plant referendum initiative

"The Energy Ministry proposes not to approve the Seimas' initiative for several key reasons. The decision to build a new nuclear power plant was enshrined in the law and other legal acts passed by the Seimas almost a decade ago. And it has been reiterated consistently. The Seimas has clearly shown its political determination, which the government has to comply with," Deputy Energy Minister Kęstutis Žilėnas said during the Cabinet's meeting.

"Another reason is that our legislation does not provide for an existing law to be repeatedly passed if approved by a referendum," he said.

Žilėnas added that the proposed referendum, if held on a different day than this autumn's general elections, would additionally cost the state more than ten million litas.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said on Monday that the proposed wording of the referendum statement was incorrect and that the plebiscite itself would be costly.

Opposition parties propose asking voters to vote yes or no to the following statement: "I support the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the Republic of Lithuania."

The Seimas is currently debating a proposal by 36 opposition lawmakers to hold an advisory referendum on the nuclear power plant simultaneously with October's general elections.

A group of citizens are also initiating a referendum on the nuclear power plant construction. They have to collect at least 300,000 signatures by 27 June.