Citizen Initiatives and Referendums in the Municipality; Implementation

A referendum has the same effect as a municipal council resolution.

Citizen initiatives and referendums are permitted only on matters falling within the municipality’s own jurisdiction. Exceptions to this include matters that, by law, fall under the jurisdiction of the mayor; issues concerning the internal organization of the municipal administration; the legal status of future mayors; the legal relationships of municipal council members, the mayor, and municipal employees; and the budget ordinance. 

The citizens’ initiative must be submitted to the municipality and must contain a question to be answered with “Yes” or “No,” as well as a statement of reasons. It must also name up to three individuals who are authorized to represent the signatories. Depending on the size of the municipality, the citizens’ initiative must be signed by at least 3% to 10% of the municipality’s residents.

If there are no legal objections to the citizens’ initiative, the municipal council must determine its admissibility; a referendum must then be held. In a referendum, the question posed is decided in accordance with the answer given by the majority of valid votes cast. This majority must

• at least 20% in municipalities with up to 50,000 residents,
• at least 15% in municipalities with up to 100,000 residents, and
• in municipalities with more than 100,000 residents, at least 10%

of eligible voters (i.e., municipal residents eligible to vote).

You can contact your municipality for more details.

After the citizens’ initiative has been submitted, the municipal council must decide on its admissibility without delay, but no later than within one month.

Once the petition has been deemed admissible, the referendum must be held on a Sunday within three months; this deadline may be extended by up to three months by mutual agreement with the authorized representatives.