Residents of Hörby, Sweden, have submitted a petition with over 1,300 signatures demanding a local referendum on whether to allow construction of a nuclear power plant in their municipality. According to reports, the petition was delivered to municipal authorities on Wednesday, exceeding the required threshold of 1,200 signatures needed for the issue to be considered by the municipal council.
The petition calls for a referendum on plans by the company Blykalla to build six lead-cooled small modular nuclear reactors in Stavröd, northeast of Hörby. The municipality signed a declaration of intent with Blykalla in June last year to investigate the feasibility of the project.
the election committee will now verify the petition lists before politicians decide how to proceed
Anette Börjesson (MP), a municipal politician in Hörby, stated that residents want to have a say about what happens in their local area. All opposition parties reportedly support the demand for a local referendum. Municipal secretary Robin Skoglund confirmed that the election committee will now verify the signatures before politicians decide how to proceed.
Ingela Brickling (C), one of the initiative's organizers, suggested the referendum should be held on election day in September. However, municipal councilor Anders Hansson (SD) indicated the issue may not be decided until 2030, stating there is currently nothing to take a position on.
the issue may not be decided until 2030, stating there is currently nothing to take a position on