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The institute of local referendum as a form of direct democracy in the countries – members of the European Union
 
PIIS013207690006246-2-1
DOI10.31857/S013207690006246-2
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Alexander I. Cherkasov 
Affiliation: Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow
Journal nameGosudarstvo i pravo
EditionIssue 8
Pages86-94
Abstract

The article deals with problems connected with the crisis of representative democracy and the search for the new forms of political participation in the countries – members of the European Union. The main attention is paid to such an important form of direct democracy as the institute of local referendum. The author analyses the types of local referendum putting the emphasis on both the general features of this institute as well as on its peculiarities in such countries as France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Norway. The rich experience of organization of local referendums in Switzerland is also taken into consideration, though formally Switzerland isn’t a member of the European Union. It’s argued that the democratic potential of the institute of referendum constitutes the subject of permanent discussions. The citizens’ competence to make certain decisions, the legitimacy of these decisions, especially when they are taken by a clear minority, are being put to question. There is also a concern that direct democracy, and first of all the institute of referendum, may endanger the functioning of representative democracy because the decision-making power practically “drifts” from democratically elected local councils to the electorate. In spite of this, the author believes that the mentioned institute should be developed at the local level as it plays an important practical role and is capable to serve the interests of the citizens thus acquiring additional channels of participation in the process of political decision - making.

 

Keywordslocal referendum, representative democracy, European Union, public administration, municipal system, mayors, decision-making mechanisms, political participation, polling stations, voting by voters
Received19.08.2019
Publication date20.09.2019
Number of characters35014
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