Bulgaria Votes in First Referendum Since Communist Era

Citizens in Bulgaria vote on nuclear plant referendum as country emerges from Soviet past: Bulgaria nuclear plant construction is a highly politicized issue

Bulgarians vote in referendum on new nuclear plant

AFP

Bulgarians voted Sunday on whether to revive plans ditched by the government to construct a second nuclear power plant, in the EU member’s first referendum since communism. The vote was seen as a popularity contest for political parties ahead of elections in July, even though low turnout was expected.

percent, power plant, nuclear power plant, referendum, project, Boyko Borisov, general elections, Belene, voters, Minister Boyko Borisov, new nuclear power, energy giant RWE, state-owned Russian firm, Severe financial constraints, important popularity test, recent Alpha Research, turnout, communist Socialist party, bloc Balkan state, translator Veselin Mladenov, eligible voters, low turnout, off-again project, popularity contest, EU member, right-wing government, nuclear energy, political parties, opposition Socialists, Danube river, 2,000-megawatt facility, Belene project, Nevyana Georgieva, northern border, foreign investor, compensation claim, tall order, economic feasibility, polling station, Eve-of-ballot surveys, EU accession, general election, Tsvetana Todorova, new project, energy grasp, winter cold, EU-member state, exit polls, downtown Sofia, small municipality