IR+R NEWS - news about democratic reform, citizens' initiative, referendum,
recall of elected officials. Compiled by Michael Macpherson M.R.C.P.(U.K.).
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Items in this newsletter
§ The Netherlands, citizen-initiated referendums
§ Citizens get more say. A report from the Federal Republic of Germany
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The Netherlands, citizen-initiated referendums
(quoted from the Initiative and Referendum Institute's bulletin)
Netherlands got its first nationwide Referendum Law
As the only country in Europe which has never held a nationwide referendum,
the Netherlands got its first nationwide Referendum Law this year. However,
the high signature requirements combined with an approval quorum will make
it rather difficult to break the spell of no experience in Direct
Democracy.
IRI Europe Correspondent Arjen Nijeboer has the details:
"On January 1st, the Temporary Referendum Law (Tijdelijke Referendumwet)
went into effect, introducing the possibility of citizen-initiated
referendums on government decisions at the national, provincial and
municipal levels. This means that citizens cannot initiate referendums on
citizen-drafted proposals. At the national level, a total of 640,000
signatures must be gathered within 9 weeks (from about 12.5 million
eligible voters). The first 40,000 must be signed at the town hall, the
remaining 600,000 can be gathered by activists in public spaces. There is
considerable attention being given to this law. The Home Department has
launched daily TV-commercials - announcing that citizens can now block
government decisions - and created a website www.referendumwet.nl which
gives details of the laws on which referendums can be held. Many
organizations have announced their intention of making use of the
referendum if possible - for example the national automobile association
(3.6 million members) on clamping, and the combined churches on stopping
laws which further the '24-hour-economy'. On the other hand, the law has
been criticized by media and academics alike for its high signature quorum
and the approval quorum (the majority decision only counts if it also
represents a minimum of 30 per cent of the entire electorate). There are
however no concrete initiatives yet."
More about IRI http://www.iri-europe.org
About Citizens' Initiative and Referendum in Britain see http://www.iniref.org
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Citizens get more say. A report from the Federal Republic of Germany
(Translation begins)
In Northrhein-Westfalia the red-green coalition of social democrats (SPD)
and greens has reached agreement with the christian democratic
opposition (CDU) for changes in the constitution which will
strengthen the rights of citizens to influence political matters.
Accordingly before the next elections the citizens' initiative (e.g. to
introduce, cancel or veto laws) will be introduced and the hurdles to
referendum-on-demand will be cut. The parliamentary party
leaders Edgar Moron (SPD), Juergen Ruettgers (CDU) and Sylvia
Loehrmann (Green) unanimously praised the agreement as a victory for
democracy.*
In future 0.5 percent of eligible voters (currently about 65,000 women and
men) will be able to oblige the Land-parliament to debate an
issue which they judge to be important. The only limit on
choice of issue is the remit (field of responsibilty) of the
Land-parliament. The finances of the Land but not military
affairs can be debated. Eight percent (instead of formerly
twenty percent) of those eligible to vote can start a "people's demand"
("Volksbegehren" which leads to referendum). The aim can be to make, change
or abolish a particular law. For referendum the three political
parties decided on a quorum of fifteen percent; previously a
majority of those eligible to vote was required as quorum.
(Translation ends)
From an article by Reinhard Voss. Citizens get more say: NRW reduces
hurdles for initiative
and referendum. Frankfurter Rundschau 30th Jan 2002
* M. Macpherson comments: The literal translation here reads "victory for
more democracy". This appears to be a reference to the citizens'
organisation "Mehr Demokratie e.V." (registered association "More
Democracy") which has campaigned for over ten years, with many successes,
to strengthen citizen participation in the (mainly representative)
democratic system. The political parties of Northrhein-Westfalia did not
act without pressure. Mehr Demokratie can depend upon much public support
there and in many other parts of the country.
A service of
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R
http://www.iniref.org mailto:[log in to unmask]
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