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31-05-2016
Initiative for basic income in Switzerland rejected
In Switzerland, citizens had until 5 June 2016 to make up their minds whether the principle of an unconditional basic income should be anchored in the constitution. The initiative was rejected as only 23 per cent voted in favour of it. Here you find the results of the five...
20-05-2016
Lift of immunity - Turkey loses separation of powers
On Friday, 20 May 2016, 373 out of 550 Members of Turkish Parliament approved the draft of a bill to lift lawmakers’ immunity from prosecution. Democracy International explains why this means a huge danger to the separation of powers, a core principle of a parliamentary...
20-05-2016
Taiwan To Free Direct Democracy After Power Change
Taiwan`s national legislature is about to liberalize existing restrictions on direct democracy mechanisms such as citizen initiatives, government referendums and recalls, reports Dennis Engbarth from Taipei.
09-05-2016
Switzerland and the EU: Same democratic rights?
Whether on basic income or animal protection, social insurance or basic rights, citizens’ initiatives give the people a voice both in Switzerland and in the EU.
What Switzerland and Europe have in common – and where they differ
Whether on basic income or animal protection,...
06-05-2016
Ally with us for more Transparency in the EU!
Democracy International and the Europe-wide network ALTER-EU are currently making use of an EU consultation to demand strict rules to prevent secret lobbying in the EU. Citizens from all across Europe are kindly requested to follow Democracy International's suggestions for a...
04-05-2016
”It would be crazy to walk away from Europe”
The UK campaign ”Stronger-In-Europe” hopes to win the June 23 Brexit referendum on a positive message, says its campaign spokesperson in Scotland John Edward in an interview with Bruno Kaufmann, board member of Democracy International and people2power-editor. Listen to the...
03-05-2016
The EU Citizens' Initiative: Any legal leeway for success?
The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) shows a very poor track record of success: Since becoming operational in 2012, only three out of 56 presented ECIs finally reached the European Commission. Is there leeway to improve this rate of success?
Maria Celeste Petrini, a PhD...
19-04-2016
ECI tests EU’s faith in democracy
20 April 2016 is the fifth "ECI Day" taking place in Brussels. On the occasion of the one-day-conference, scholars, practitioners and academics gather to discuss the workings of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) and how to improve the only instrument of participatory...
18-04-2016
How the Curse of the Quorum Poisoned Democracy
On Sunday, 17 April 2016, Italy held a referendum on the question wheter to allow unlimited oil drilling. The popular vote was defeated as it did not reach the necessary turnout quorum of 50 per cent. Our board member Bruno Kaufmann observed the referendum in Rome and comments...
14-04-2016
Will the Queen still be an EU citizen after 23 June?
In the upcoming UK EU membership on 23 June, Nigel Smith will advise the campaign “Vote Leave” as “an old wise head” as he calls it. Democracy International interviewed the Scotsman on 14 April 2016, just one day after the Electoral decision appointed "Vote Leave" to lead the No...