Two non-binding plebiscites were held in the state and city of Salzburg from April 3rd and during the week until April 9th on whether Salzburg should bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. In the first plebiscite 60 per cent of respondents in the State of Salzburg voted in favour of a bid and 40 per cent were against. Participation was low at only 19 per cent.
In a separate non-binding plebiscite the citizens of Salzburg age 16 and over as well as registered EU-citizens were asked to vote on the following question – “should the city of Salzburg bid for the Olympic Winter Games 2014?”
There were 102,567 people eligible to vote and participation was a low 21 per cent.
Approximately 63 per cent voted against a bid and 37 per cent voted yes.
The total results of the State of Salzburg plebiscite with 60 per cent in favour and 40 per cent against is not influenced by the results of the separate non-binding plebiscite in the city of Salzburg.
Salzburg Mayor Dr. Heinz Schaden said following the results of the non-binding plebiscites, “the City Council of Salzburg will decide in July whether or not Salzburg will bid for the Olympic Winter Games 2014. We will conduct all necessary meetings, since Olympic Winter Games are a nationwide opportunity. Sixty per cent of all citizens in the State of Salzburg have voted in favour of a Salzburg Olympic bid 2014, this is very positive. In the city of Salzburg we will have to communicate how the bid will be financed before the city council will take its final decision in July”.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is accepting applications for the 2014 Winter Olympic bid until July 28, 2005.
