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Democracia directa

Portugal

DD002

Democracia Directa a Nivel Nacional

Pregunta	¿Existen disposiciones legales para los procedimientos de Democracia Directa?
Answer:	a. Sí
Respuestas	At the Parliament website http://www.parlamento.pt/ingles/cons_leg/crp_ing/index.html see the Constitution (english version updated in 1997). The review in 1989 introduced the optional referendum under severe constraints. The reviews in 1992 and 1997 adapted the text of the Constitution to the principles of the Treaties of European Union, introducing, amongst other things, electoral rights for foreign citizens, the possibility of creating single-member constituencies and the right of citizens to initiate legislation. In 1998 two referendums were conducted in June and November (on abortion – 1 question and on devolution and regions – 2 questions) and in both occasions the minimum percentage of the entire electorate was not attained. Additional information http://www.stape.pt/resultref/refnac_28jun98.htm and http://www.stape.pt/resultref/refnac_8nov98.htm . The results here http://www.stape.pt/resultref/res_refnac_28jun98.htm and http://www.stape.pt/resultref/res_refnac_8nov98.htm . No citizens’ initiative till now. A referendum for the approval of the European Constitution is expected in 2005/6 (legislature initiative). See Constitution, art. 115: Article 115 Referenda 1. In cases provided for in, and as laid down by, this Constitution and the law, following a proposal from the Assembly of the Republic or the Government in relation to matters that fall under their respective responsibilities, the President of the Republic may decide to call upon citizens who are registered to vote in Portuguese territory to directly and bindingly pronounce themselves by referendum. 2. Referenda may also be held on the initiative of citizens who submit a request to the Assembly of the Republic. Such requests shall be submitted and considered under the terms and within the time limits laid down by law. 3. The object of a referendum shall be limited to important issues concerning the national interest upon which the Assembly of the Republic or the Government must decide by passing an international agreement or by passing legislation. 4. The following shall not be subject to referendum: a) Alterations to this Constitution; b) Issues and acts with a budgetary, tax-related or financial content; c) The matters provided for in Article 161, without prejudice to the provisions of the following paragraph; d) The matters provided for in Article 164, save the provisions of subparagraph i). 5. The provisions of the previous paragraph shall not prejudice the submission to referendum of such important issues concerning the national interest as should be the object of an international agreement pursuant to Article 161i, except when they concern peace or the rectification of borders. 6. Each referendum shall only address one matter. Questions shall be objectively, clearly and precisely formulated, shall solicit yes or no answers, and shall not exceed a maximum number to be laid down by law. The law shall also lay down the other terms governing the formulation and holding of referenda. 7. Referenda shall not be called or held between the dates on which general elections for the bodies that exercise sovereign power, elections for the self-government bodies of the autonomous regions, for local authority bodies and for Members of the European Parliament are called and those on which they are held. 8. The President of the Republic shall submit all draft referenda submitted to him by the Assembly of the Republic or the Government, to compulsory prior determination of their constitutionality and legality. 9. The provisions of Article 113(1), (2), (3), (4) and (7) shall apply to referenda, mutatis mutandis. 10. Draft referenda that are refused by the President of the Republic or are negatived by the electorate shall not be resubmitted during the same legislative session, save new elections to the Assembly of the Republic, or until the Government resigns or is removed. 11. Referenda shall only be binding in the event that the number of voters exceeds half the number of registered electors. 12. Citizens who reside abroad and are properly registered to vote under the provisions of Article 121(2) shall be called upon to take part in referenda that address matters which specifically also concern them. 13. Referenda may be regional in scope, in accordance with Article 232(2).
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115, 167: https://ecnl.org/sites/default/files/files/2021/PortugalConstitution.pdf Legislative Initiative by Citizens: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/LeiIniciativaCidadaosEN.pdf Legal Regime governing Referenda: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/ReferendoEN.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD003

Referendos obligatorios

Pregunta	¿Existen disposiciones legales para referendos obligatorios?
Answer:	a. Sí
Respuestas
Fuente	European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), Referendums in Europe - An Analysis of the Legal Rules in European States (2005), page 7; Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 255, 256: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD004

Referendos opcionales

Pregunta	¿Existen disposiciones legales para referendos opcionales?
Answer:	a. Sí
Respuestas	It should be mentioned since there is no question about this constraint “Referenda shall not be called or carried out between the dates for calling and carrying out a general election for the organs with supreme authority [President and Parliament] or the organs of self-government of the autonomous regions or of local government or for the European Parliament.” Portuguese Constitution article 115 nr 7. Due to the annoucement of the European referendum several opinions expressed the view that the constraint should be lifted, in order that a referendum could occur simultaneously with local general elections next October (2005). See question R.9 for a related remark . It should be mentioned that some political parties backed by constitutionalists showed strong opposition.
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115(1): https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD005

Iniciativas ciudadanas

Pregunta	¿Existen disposiciones legales legal para las iniciativas ciudadanas a nivel nacional?
Answer:	b. No
Respuestas	It should be mentioned since there is no question about this constraint “Referenda shall not be called or carried out between the dates for calling and carrying out a general election for the organs with supreme authority [President and Parliament] or the organs of self-government of the autonomous regions or of local government or for the European Parliament.” Portuguese Constitution article 115 nr 7. Due to the annoucement of the European referendum several opinions expressed the view that the constraint should be lifted, in order that a referendum could occur simultaneously with local general elections next October (2005). See question R.9 for a related remark . It should be mentioned that some political parties backed by constitutionalists showed strong opposition.
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115, 167: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf Legislative Initiative by Citizens: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/LeiIniciativaCidadaosEN.pdf Legal Regime governing Referenda: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/ReferendoEN.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD006

Iniciativas Legislativas

Pregunta	¿Existen disposiciones legales sobre la propuesta legislativa ciudadana a nivel nacional?
Answer:	a. Sí
Respuestas
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115, 167: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf Legislative Initiative by Citizens: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/LeiIniciativaCidadaosEN.pdf Legal Regime governing Referenda: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/ReferendoEN.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD007

Revocatorias

Pregunta	¿Existe alguna disposición legal para las revocatorias?
Answer:	b. No
Respuestas
Fuente	Consitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115, 167: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf Legislative Initiative by Citizens: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/LeiIniciativaCidadaosEN.pdf Legal Regime governing Referenda: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/ReferendoEN.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD129

Referendum vinculante

Pregunta	¿Los resultados del referéndum son siempre vinculantes, nunca vinculantes o algunas veces vinculante?
Answer:	b. Algunas veces vinculante
Respuestas
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115(11): https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD130

Los referéndums nacionales tratan sobre

Pregunta	¿Las cuestiones a votar en un referéndum son sólo cambios constitucionales, otros temas únicamente o ambos?
Answer:	b. Sólo otras cuestiones distintas de los cambios constitucionales
Respuestas
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Articles 115(4): https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

DD131

Democracia Directa a nivel sub-nacional

Pregunta	¿Existe alguna disposición legal para la democracia directa a niveles sub-nacionales (regional o local)?
Answer:	a. Sí
Respuestas
Fuente	Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Seventh Revision [2005], Article 240: https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/Constitution7th.pdf
Verificado	2024/10/10

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