A referendum held on May 17 2009 in the resort Black Sea town of Pomorie on the construction of Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline has voted against its construction.
 
Almost 99 per cent of the 23 431 people who voted on May 17 said no to the construction of the pipeline that is supposed to carry Russian oil from the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Bourgas to the Greek town of Alexandroupolis. Russian tankers will transport the oil to Bourgas.
 
This is the third referendum on the pipeline held by people living near the construction site.  The first two were deemed invalid because turnout was below the 50 per cent minimum.
 
In April 2008 slightly more than 30 per cent of the 12 000 residents of Sozopol municipality voted in the referendum on the pipeline. Most voted against its construction.
 
In February 2008, a referendum was held in Bourgas. An overwhelming majority –  96.77 per cent  –  voted against the pipeline construction but turnout was once again less than 50 per cent.
 
In Pomorie’s case, however, 60.16 per cent of voters took part, so validating the outcome. The results will be sent to the Bourgas Regional Governor, the European Commission and the company developing the project.
 
According to the Law on Referendums, however, plebiscites such as the one in Pomorie can refer only to local matters.  

When it comes to international agreements such as the one between Russia, Bulgaria and Greece on the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, only a national referendum can change the status quo.