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Direct Democracy

Finland Finland

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Section 2 The powers of the State in Finland are vested in the people, who are represented by the Parliament. Section 53: The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters. Provisions concerning the conduct of a referendum are laid down by an Act. At least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament, as provided by an Act. (1112/2011, entry into force 1.3.2012)
Source: Constitution, Section 2, Section 14, section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Section 14, 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012); Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD004

Optional referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters. Provisions concerning the conduct of a referendum are laid down by an Act.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012); Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: At least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament, as provided by an Act.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments: There are no legal provisions for agenda initiatives, but it appears that Finnish citizens petition the legislature anyway.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012); Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) p. 84 http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2018/03/16
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: 2018/03/16
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: c. Never binding
Comments: Section 53 – Referendum and citizens’ initiative (new title, 1112/2011, entry into force 1.3.2012) The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012); Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
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: section 53: The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters. Provisions concerning the conduct of a referendum are laid down by an Act. At least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament, as provided by an Act.
Source: Constitution, Section 14, 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012); Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD131


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Section 14: Every Finnish citizen and every foreigner permanently resident in Finland, having attained eighteen years of age, has the right to vote in municipal elections and municipal referendums, as provided by an Act. Provisions on the right to otherwise participate in municipal government are laid down by an Act. Section 30 Municipal referenda The council can decide to hold a referendum on any matter resting with the local authority. Referenda are advisory. A referendum can be held on a matter concerning the whole area of the local authority or some component area. Said component area shall then comprise one or more voting districts as referred to in the Act on Municipal Elections. All persons entitled to vote shall have an equal voting right. Voting shall be confidential. There are separate provisions on the procedure to be followed in a municipal referendum. Section 31 Referendum proposals Local residents representing at least five per cent of those entitled to vote may propose a referendum. The council shall decide without delay whether to hold a referendum as proposed.
Source: Constitution, Section 14: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012); Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) pp. 86 https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook.pdf Act on the procedure for holding municipal consultative referenda (656/1990)http://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/6030
Verified: 2019/04/02
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