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Direct Democracy

Syrian Arab Republic Syrian Arab Republic

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: C:Ch2:Part1:55 "The law provides for elections and plebiscites. It defines the conditions to be met by members of the People's Assembly." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:84 "Upon the proposal of the Arab Socialist Baath Party regional command, the Assembly issues the order for election of the President: 1) the candidacy is proposed to the citizens for referendum; 2) the referendum takes place upon the request of the President of the Assembly; 3) the new president is elected before termination of the term of the present President, within a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days; 4) the candidate becomes President of the Republic if he obtains an absolute majority of the total votes. If he fails to obtain this majority, the Assembly names another candidate. The same procedures are followed concerning the election, provided this takes place within 1 month from the time the results of the first plebiscite were announced." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:88 "The first Vice President of the Republic or the Vice President named by the President, carries out the President's duties if the President fails to do so. If the incapacity is permanent or in case of death or resignation, a referendum takes place to elect a new President in accordance with the provisions of Article 84, within a period not exceeding 90 days. If the Assembly is dissolved or if its term is due to expire in less than 90 days, the first Vice President carries out the President's duties until the new Assembly convenes." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:89 "If the post of President becomes vacant and there is no Vice President, the Prime Minister exercises all the President's powers and jurisdictions until a new President is elected by means of referendum within 90 days." C:Ch3:Part2:146 "The Supreme Constitutional Court has no right to look into laws which the President of the Republic submits to public referendum and are approved by the people."
Source: The 1973 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic, art. 55, 84, 88, 89 and 146 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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: C:Ch2:Part1:55 "The law provides for elections and plebiscites. It defines the conditions to be met by members of the People's Assembly." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:84 "Upon the proposal of the Arab Socialist Baath Party regional command, the Assembly issues the order for election of the President: 1) the candidacy is proposed to the citizens for referendum; 2) the referendum takes place upon the request of the President of the Assembly; 3) the new president is elected before termination of the term of the present President, within a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days; 4) the candidate becomes President of the Republic if he obtains an absolute majority of the total votes. If he fails to obtain this majority, the Assembly names another candidate. The same procedures are followed concerning the election, provided this takes place within 1 month from the time the results of the first plebiscite were announced." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:88 "The first Vice President of the Republic or the Vice President named by the President, carries out the President's duties if the President fails to do so. If the incapacity is permanent or in case of death or resignation, a referendum takes place to elect a new President in accordance with the provisions of Article 84, within a period not exceeding 90 days. If the Assembly is dissolved or if its term is due to expire in less than 90 days, the first Vice President carries out the President's duties until the new Assembly convenes." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:89 "If the post of President becomes vacant and there is no Vice President, the Prime Minister exercises all the President's powers and jurisdictions until a new President is elected by means of referendum within 90 days." C:Ch3:Part2:146 "The Supreme Constitutional Court has no right to look into laws which the President of the Republic submits to public referendum and are approved by the people."
Source: The 1973 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic, art. 55, 84, and 89 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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: C:Ch2:Part1:55 "The law provides for elections and plebiscites. It defines the conditions to be met by members of the People's Assembly."
Source: The 1973 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic, art. 55 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(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: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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