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Lithuanians Say No to N-Plant, Vote for Left-Wingers

World | October 15, 2012, Monday // 08:36

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Bulgaria: Lithuanians Say No to N-Plant, Vote for Left-Wingers

Leader of the Lithuanian Labour Party Viktor Uspaskich celebrates his party's victory in the general election in Vilnius, Lithuania on October 14, 2012. Photo by RIA Novosti

Lithuanians rejected the the idea of building a new nuclear power plant in the city of Visaginas in a referendum that took place on Sunday.

With 45% of precincts counted some 64% of votes cast in the referendum were against the new plant, while 36% were in support, according to the country's Central Election Commission.

Lithuania's current center-right government has backed the construction of the the plant, saying it would decrease the country's energy dependence on Russia, while critics have countered that the project would be too expensive and may pose environmental risks.

Meanwhile, it has been made clear that Lithuania's opposition parties are leading in the country's parliamentary elections. The left-wing Labor Party of Russian-born businessman Viktor Uspaskich is leading with 24.48% of the vote and is followed by the center-left Social Democrats of Algirdas Butkevicius with 19.49%. The center-right coalition led by Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius gained so far 11.63% of the vote, according to RIA Novosti.

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