The draft law envisions a new way for people to make proposals to their municipal councils, which is similar to the way in which public petitions work on the national level. A minimum of three people above the age of 16 have to author a proposal and collect enough votes for it to be heard by the council. The threshold is 5% of the local population.
Minister Bofferding explained that a differentiation between referendums will be made. Those initiated by residents are considered to be of “consulting” nature. However, if initiated by the municipal council, then the results are binding.
Municipalities will further be compelled to publish pertinent information on their websites.
The draft law in question will only be voted on in the upcoming legislative period.
