A referendum in Lithuania calling for a ban on land ownership by foreigners failed to muster support, sparing the country a potentially embarrassing stand-off with the European Union while it faces increasing tensions with Russia.
Lithuania was granted a 10-year transitional period to keep the ban on foreign ownership when it joined the European Union in 2004, but it had already dropped the ban in May of this year.
Only 15% of those eligible voted in the referendum this weekend, far short of the 50 percent needed for the referendum to be valid, the country’s electoral authority said yesterday (30 June). With all votes counted, 71% of those who did turn up backed the referendum proposals, which also would have restricted production of natural resources such as shale gas.
Some backers of the referendum said the country was left vulnerable to domination by foreigners, because lifting the ban could drive prices beyond the reach of locals. Ownership of land is an emotional subject in a country that has seen a string of occupations throughout its history.
The decision to hold a referendum was taken last February. (more)
Read the whole story here: http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/lithuania-land-sales-ban-referendum-flops-303170
Source: EurActiv - Reuters