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Direct Democracy

Croatia Croatia

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Article 1: (2) Power in the Republic of Croatia derives from the people and belongs to the people as a community of free and equal citizens. (3) The people shall exercise this power through the election of representatives and through direct decision-making. Article 2: (4) The Croatian Parliament (Sabor) or the people directly shall, independently and in accordance with the Constitution and law, decide: -on the regulation of economic, legal and political relations in the Republic of Croatia -on the preservation of natural and cultural wealth and its utilization -on association into alliances with other states. Article 87: (1) The Croatian Parliament may call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution, on a bill, or any other issue within its competence. (2) The President of the Republic may, at the proposal of the Government and with the counter-signature of the Prime Minster, call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution or any other issue which he considers to be important for the independence, unity and existence of the Republic of Croatia. (3) The Croatian Parliament shall call a referendum upon the issues from sections 1 and 2 of this Article when so demanded by ten percent of all voters in the Republic of Croatia. (4) At such a referendum, the decision shall be made by the majority of the voters who have voted, provided that the majority of the total number of electors have taken part in the referendum. Article 133: (3) Citizens may directly participate in administering local affairs, through meetings, referenda and other forms of direct decision-making, in conformity with law and statute.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, art. 1, 2, 87 & 133. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2025/04/15
(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: Article 87: (1) The Croatian Parliament may call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution, on a bill, or any other issue within its competence. (2) The President of the Republic may, at the proposal of the Government and with the counter-signature of the Prime Minster, call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution or any other issue which he considers to be important for the independence, unity and existence of the Republic of Croatia. (3) The Croatian Parliament shall call a referendum upon the issues from sections 1 and 2 of this Article when so demanded by ten percent of all voters in the Republic of Croatia. Article 142: (4) Any decision concerning the association of the Republic of Croatia shall be made on a referendum by a majority vote of the total number of electors in the State.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, art. 87 & 142. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2025/04/15
(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: Article 87 (1) The Croatian Parliament may call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution, on a bill, or any other issue within its competence. (2) The President of the Republic may, at the proposal of the Government and with the counter-signature of the Prime Minster, call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution or any other issue which he considers to be important for the independence, unity and existence of the Republic of Croatia.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, art. 87. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2025/04/15
(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: a. Yes
Comments: "The Croatian Parliament shall call a referendum upon the issues from sections 1 and 2 of this Article when so demanded by ten percent of all voters in the Republic of Croatia".
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, Art. 87 (3). https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2025/04/15
(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:
Verified: 2015/11/16
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2015/11/16
(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: Article 87: (5) Decisions made at referenda shall be binding.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, art. 87(5) https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2025/04/15
(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: Article 86: (1) The Croatian Parliament may call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution, on a bill, or any other issue within its competence. (2) The President of the Republic may, at the proposal of the Government and with the counter-signature of the Prime Minster, call a referendum on a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution or any other issue which he considers to be important for the independence, unity and existence of the Republic of Croatia. (3) The Croatian Parliament shall call a referendum upon the issues from sections 1 and 2 of this Article when so demanded by ten percent of all voters in the Republic of Croatia. Article 141: (4) Any decision concerning the association of the Republic of Croatia shall be made on a referendum by a majority vote of the total number of electors in the State.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, art. 87 & 142. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2020/07/06
(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: Article 133: (3) Citizens may directly participate in administering local affairs, through meetings, referenda and other forms of direct decision-making, in conformity with law and statute.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as revised on 06 July 2010, art. 133(3). https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Croatia_2013?lang=en
Verified: 2025/04/15
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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