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Direct Democracy

Spain

DD002

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Española”, art. 23, 87, 92, 151, 166, 167: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/ ; Law 2/1980 of 18 January on the regulation of the different kinds of referendum: “Ley Orgánica 2/1980, de 18 de enero, sobre regulación de las distintas modalidades de referéndum”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-2-1980-de-18-de-enero-sobre/view; Law 3/1984 of 26 March on Citizens’ legislative Iniciative: “Ley Orgánica 3/1984, de 26 de marzo, Reguladora de la Iniciativa Legislativa Popular”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-3-1984-de-26-de-marzo/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD003

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The Statute of Autonomy of a region must be approved by the electorate in the provinces within the territory to be covered by the proposed Statute. Furthermore, if a total revision of the Constitution is proposed (or a modification of the core principles), once it has been approved by the Cortes Generales with a majority of 2/3, it shall be submitted to ratification by referendum.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Española”, art. 167, 168: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD004

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	A bill on constitutional amendments can be submitted to ratification by referendum if requested by 1/10 of the members of either House. A consultative referendum can be called for decisions of special importance.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Española”, art. 92 & 152: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD005

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	"An organic law will regulate the forms of exercise and requirements for popular initiative for the presentation of bill proposals. In any case, no fewer than 500,000 accredited signatures will be required."
Source:	Constitution, “Constitución Española”, art. 87(3) http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD006

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	500,000 citizens must sign the request. This initiative shall not be allowed for matters concerning organic acts, taxation, international affairs or the prerogative of pardon.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Española”, art. 87(3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/; Law 3/1984 of 26 March on Citizens’ legislative Iniciative: “Ley Orgánica 3/1984, de 26 de marzo, Reguladora de la Iniciativa Legislativa Popular”: http://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1984-7249/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD007

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Española”, art. 87, 151, 167 & 168: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD129

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	b. Sometimes binding
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm Constitution, "Constitucion Espanola", art. 92, 167, 168: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified:	2025/04/24

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:
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Española”, art. 87, 151, 167, 168: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified:	2025/04/24

DD131

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Junta Electoral Central Official Website: http://www.juntaelectoralcentral.es/portal/page/portal/JuntaElectoralCentral/JuntaElectoralCentral/Referendos/Autonomico (2012)
Verified:	2025/04/24

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