citizens' initiative and referendum
MESSAGE TO USENET NEWSGROUPS MARCH 2003Improved model of democracy: In legally binding referendum Slovenian people vote to join EU and NATO
Subject:
Improved model of democracy
Date:
Mon, 24 Mar 2003 19:02:35 +0100
From:
Wallace-Macpherson <mm@WITHOUTiniref.org>
Reply-To:
info@NOiniref.SPAMorg
Organization:
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R http://www.iniref.org
Newsgroups:
uk.politics.constitution, uk.politics.misc, uk.politics.parliament, alt.uk.lawWhen in the early 1990s countries of eastern Europe were "shopping
around" for new constitutions and systems of governance it seems that
some were keen to improve on existing models, e.g. those of Britain or
the USA.Regarding the form of democracy, Slovenia looks quite advanced.
The very recent referendum vote of the Slovenian people to join the
European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation may cause a
curious few to ask how the system works.A glance at the the University of Geneva's web site can help.
http://c2d.unige.ch/int/OverviewInstits/t-slovenia.htmlIt seems that for some constitutional matters a referendum
("obligatory") must be held. Assuming that the voter turnout is
adequate, the result is legally binding. This contrasts with the
situation in Britain. If a referendum is held on, say, joining the Euro
zone, this will *not* bind parliament or government - it's only
advisory.Also, the Slovenians have the right to make a proposal - presumably for
a new law - the "citizens' initiative". There are some rather severe
restrictions on this procedure, which may explain why it has never been
used. In the USA there is no citizens' initiative at country level at
all (only in some states).
Wallace-Macpherson
Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R
http://www.iniref.org
http://www.sztaki.hu/servlets/voting/call
e-mail: info@iniref.org
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