This idea of direct democracy 'by the people for the people' stands in sharp contrast to the “Demokratiepaket”, Austria’s big political parties ÖVP (Conservatives) and SPÖ (Social Democrats) have been talking about for the last one and ½ years. However, this parcel of democracy is merely to introduce non-binding forms of citizens’ participation.

In February 2013 mehr demokratie! posed in front of the Austrian Parliament with the aim of demonstrating what real direct democracy is about and how thin the government’s proposals are. Democracy International supported the action.

Currently mehr demokratie! is working towards implementing more direct democracy before the next federal elections. The means for more direct democracy is the establishment of a citizens’ assembly which is to work out the proposals for direct democracy itself. Then there will be a referendum, another version of direct democracy initiated from below.

Read more about the campaign and sign the petition for a citizens’ assembly at www.demokratie2013.at (in German)