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Direct Democracy

Germany Germany

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Revisions of the existing division into Länder shall be effected by a federal law, which must be confirmed by referendum. The affected Länder shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard.
Source: Constitution, Art. 29(2) https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014?lang=en
Verified: 2025/03/11
(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:
Source: Constitution, Art. 29 https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014?lang=en
Verified: 2021/11/29
(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: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm Constitution https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014?lang=en
Verified: 2017/03/31
(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:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm Constitution https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014?lang=en
Verified: 2017/03/31
(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: Agenda initiatives are only applicable to Regional and Local citizens initiatives.
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm Constitution https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014?lang=en
Verified: 2017/03/31
(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 Constitution https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014?lang=en
Verified: 2017/03/31
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: b. Sometimes binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 29 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html
Verified: 2021/11/29
(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: A new constitution and the reorganization of the federal territory (Constitution, Art. 29).
Source: Constitution, Art. 29 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html
Verified: 2021/11/29
(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: Regional and Local citizens initiatives and direct democracy provisions exist in the Constitution. For instance, in each Land, county and municipality the people shall be represented by a body chosen in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm Constitution, Art. 28 (1) https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html
Verified: 2021/11/29
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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