Negotiations are underway in Austria to upgrade the instrument of direct democracy, under review is the idea that popular initiatives gathering a certain percentage of support should be put to a popular vote that would not be legally binding on parliament but would arguably have political weight. Obstacles include deciding what the percentage should be, what body should examine the question posed, what questions should not be the subject of a popular decision eg EU exit, points involving a complete revision of the Constitution, those in conflict with EU law etc and the role of parliament; one idea is that parliament could give an opinion that may be opposed to the question put. Then on the ballot paper there would be 3 boxes "yes", "no" "neither". The changes require a two thirds majority in parliament and the support of an Opposition Party. Melanie.sully@go-governance parlament.gv.at/PAKT/PR/JAHR_2013/PK0480/index.shtml
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:54:25 +0000