Austrian nuclear power referendum, 1978
Encyclopedia
A referendum on the use of nuclear power was held in Austria
on 5 November 1978. Voters were asked whether they approved of a law allowing the peaceful use of nuclear power, particularly relating to the start-up of the Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant
. Voters narrowly rejected it, with 50.5% voting against. As a result, although the Power Plant was finished, it was never operated and has since been dismantled.
Voter turnout was 64.1%.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
on 5 November 1978. Voters were asked whether they approved of a law allowing the peaceful use of nuclear power, particularly relating to the start-up of the Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant
Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant
The Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant was the first nuclear plant built in Austria, of 6 nuclear plants originally envisaged. The plant at Zwentendorf, Austria was finished, but never operated. Start-up of the Zwentendorf plant, as well as construction of the other 5 plants, was prevented by a...
. Voters narrowly rejected it, with 50.5% voting against. As a result, although the Power Plant was finished, it was never operated and has since been dismantled.
Voter turnout was 64.1%.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 1,576,709 | 49.5 |
| Against | 1,606,777 | 50.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 75,996 | – |
| Total | 3,259,482 | 100 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||