Bulgarian nuke plant referendum ‘invalidated’January 28, 2013 - 14:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A controversial referendum on whether to build a new nuclear power plant in Bulgaria appears to have been invalidated by low turnout, BBC News reported. An exit poll put turnout at around 20% - far below the 60% required for the poll, which was called on the basis of an opposition petition. The opposition Socialists want the center-right government to reverse its decision not to build the plant. The poll has been seen as a barometer for elections later this year. If the poor turnout is confirmed by official results, this will mean that parliament must debate the issue, but the government is not obliged to build anything. The government says it supports the provision of nuclear power from an existing plant at Kozloduy, but that it does not have the 10bn euros ($13.4bn) it says would be needed to build a new plant. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told local media that this would remain the case even if Bulgarians voted in favor of a new nuclear plant. Bulgaria had to close four of its old reactors at Kozloduy as a precondition for its 2007 EU membership. The government froze plans to finish the plant at Belene last year, when work at the site on the southern bank of the River Danube was already well under way. The Socialists are seen as closely linked to the Belene project, having granted a construction contract for the plant to Russian state company Atomstroyexport in 2008. They say Belene would now cost 4-6bn euros to complete, and would lower electricity costs for consumers. Environmentalists had opposed the plant, which had first been proposed when Bulgaria was under communist rule. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |