Open AccessInstitualization of referendum in EU countries
Author(s) -
O. Stoyko
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pravova deržava/pravova deržava
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2617-9776
pISSN - 0869-2491
DOI - 10.33663/0869-2491-2020-31-445-452
Subject(s) - referendum , parliament , direct democracy , european union , political science , democracy , public administration , veto , constitution , legislature , politics , leverage (statistics) , political economy , law , economics , economic policy , machine learning , computer science
The evolution of the referendum institutionalization in the constitutions of the EU states is considered. The peculiarities of its initiation, realization and implementation of results in the "old" and "new" members of the Union are highlighted and analyzed. It is concluded that young democracies are pioneering in using this tool of direct democracy both to legitimize government decisions and to involve citizens in the decision-making process.The history of the introduction of plebiscites into the practice of political processes in European countries shows, that they are closely linked to democratic transit: the later the constitution is adopted, the more opportunities for citizens to use referendums not only to control the legislative process in parliament (support or veto certain decisions, draft laws), but also to formulate an agenda - to propose their own initiatives for consideration by public authorities. Accordingly, there are obvious differences between the referendum practices of the "old" and "new" members of the European Union, since the latter are much more active in using them and give citizens real leverage on public policy by holding plebiscites on popular initiatives.