Energy, Latvia, Legislation, Lithuania, Nuclear power plant

According to Dombrovskis, Latvia is currently waiting for the regional partners' reaction to the referendum results, as the State Chancellery representative Diana Germane told LETA.

"During the referendum in Lithuania on Sunday, the nation voted against the construction of a new NPP. Even though the result is not legally binding, we can expect it to hamper implementation of the Visaginas project. But – the final decision will still have to be made by the Lithuanian government," said Dombrovskis.

At the same time, Latvia's position remains unchanged – economic benefit and competitiveness of Visaginas NPP electricity on the Nord Pool Spot market are the main preconditions for construction of the new power plant, stressed Dombrovskis.

As reported, 62.7% of voters cast "No" ballots in the referendum, based on data from 1,767 out of 2,017 polling stations, while almost 34% backed the plan. Despite placing no legal obligation on the government, the result throws new doubt on an already-sluggish project because the referendum was held in tandem with a general election, topped by left-wing parties faulting the project.

The results of Lithuania's consultative referendum on the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant project will additionally hamper its progress, Latvian Institute of International Affairs Director Andris Spruds told LETA.

Latvia's reluctant stance has justified itself, since Lithuanians have been discussing the project since 2005, but have not carried it out, said Spruds.

The referendum shows that it will be more difficult now to move forward with the project. Moreover, the Social Democrats have opposed rushing the plant's construction, which basically means opposing the entire project, explained the expert.

Spruds also added that all signs indicate that it is currently unreasonable to invest money and efforts in the project.

Despite placing no legal obligation on the government, the result throws new doubt on an already-sluggish project because the referendum was held in tandem with a general election topped by left-wing parties faulting the project.