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Direct Democracy

Estonia Estonia

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: § 56: The supreme power of state shall be exercised by the people through citizens with the right to vote: 2) through a referendum.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia with latest amendment on 6 May 2015 § 56, 65:(2), 105 & 162-168. Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2019/02/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Referendum Act: §1:(1) The Riigikogu shall submit any amendment of Chapters 1 and 15 of the Constitution to a referendum. The Riigikogu may submit other draft Acts that amend the Constitution, and other draft Acts or other national issues to a referendum.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia with latest amendment on 6 May 2015, § 56, 65, 105 & 162-168. Law: Referendum Act latest amended 12 October 2016 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2019/02/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD004

Optional referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Law: § 1: (1) The Riigikogu shall submit any amendment of Chapters 1 and 15 of the Constitution to a referendum. The Riigikogu may submit other draft Acts that amend the Constitution, and other draft Acts or other national issues to a referendum.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia with latest amendment on 6 May 2015, § 56, 65, 105 & 162-168. Law: Referendum Act latest amended 12 October 2016 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2019/02/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments: § 103. The right to initiate a Bill rests with the following: 1) a member of the Riigikogu; 2) a political group of the Riigikogu; 3) a committee of the Riigikogu; 4) the Government of the Republic; 5) the President, when proposing amendments to the Constitution. The Riigikogu is entitled, on the basis of a resolution carried by a majority of the members, to address a recommendation to the Government of the Republic to initiate a Bill desired by the Riigikogu
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia with latest amendment on 6 May 2015, § 103 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2019/02/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2015/03/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2015/03/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: a. Always binding
Comments: Referendum Act: § 4. Obligation to comply with decision of referendum The decision of a referendum shall be binding for all state authorities. Constitution, § 105: (3 )A law which is passed by a referendum is promptly promulgated by the President. The decision of the referendum is binding on all public bodies.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia with latest amendment on 6 May 2015, § 105(3). Law: Referendum Act latest amended 12 October 2016 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2019/02/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD130


Question:Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer: c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: Law: § 1: (1) The Riigikogu shall submit any amendment of Chapters 1 and 15 of the Constitution to a referendum. The Riigikogu may submit other draft Acts that amend the Constitution, and other draft Acts or other national issues to a referendum.
Source: Constitution: The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia with latest amendment on 6 May 2015, § 56, 65, 105 & 162-168. Law: Referendum Act latest amended 12 October 2016 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2019/02/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD131


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2015/03/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.