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Stay up-to-date about the developments of direct democracy in the world.
12-07-2017
‘We need to awake from apathy and powerlessness’
In Country in focus, Democracy International takes a closer look at advances in direct democracy and citizen participation worldwide. This month, the spotlight is on Hungary.
From 19 to 21 May 2017, Democracy International held a 'Happening for our Democratic Culture' in...
06-06-2017
‘The ECI needs to become stronger’
The New European Movement of Switzerland is one of the few organisations defying the current political trend to promote an accession to the European Union of Switzerland and to push for concrete steps to make the EU much more democratic.
Established in 1998, the ...
23-04-2017
EU Commission up for more direct democracy
On 11 April 2017, in a rare moment of positive international news for more democracy, the European Commission declared to revise the EU legislation concerning the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). The announcement came after arduous campaigns by Democracy International and...
30-03-2017
Contested ECI turns five years on Saturday
On 1 April 2017, the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) celebrated its fifth anniversary. The historically first tool of participatory and direct democracy at transnational level provides EU citizens with the constitutional right to address the decision-making process of the EU...
23-03-2017
Please, not another EU Declaration!
On 25 March 2017, yet another EU Declaration will be adopted as EU leaders gather in Rome to “celebrate” the 60th Anniversary of the Rome Treaty. But as the European integration process is experiencing its deepest crisis, yet we should invest into more democracy at the...
20-03-2017
Media 'crucial' in creating transparency
Can the traditional media still fulfill their role as watchdog in a direct democracy when social media increasingly set the pace? A panel with four prominent speakers at this year’s Aarau Democracy Days in Switzerland came up with some interesting insights, highlighting the fact...
16-02-2017
“The Government of Ecuador is quite anxious“
On Sunday 19 February 2017, Ecuador’s 12 million eligible people faced a super election day: Beyond electing a new parliament and a new President, they could also decide on a plebiscite that President Rafael Correa had triggered. Up for vote was the question whether elected...
15-02-2017
Romania's Struggle for Democracy
Millions of Romanians have taken to the streets to protest against their government and in favour of strong anti-corruption laws. The demonstrations give insights into the complex democratic challenges, which reach far beyond the southeastern European country, writes Bruno...
14-02-2017
“Money Plays a Growing Role in Swiss Democracy”
In a conversational democracy like the Swiss one citizens’ association must work very hard to have the opportunity to make voices heard. A new challenge is the lack of public-financed participatory infrastructure, says Katharina Prelicz-Huber in an interview with Cora Pfafferott...
09-02-2017
Why populists should avoid direct democracy
Direct democracy is becoming increasingly popular in the form of peoples’ initiatives and referendums. It’s also being preached by populists both on the left and right of the political spectrum, but they generally have no idea what it really means, writes Bruno Kaufmann...