Citizens' application; submission

The citizens' petition is an instrument of direct democracy at municipal level. With the help of a citizens' petition, citizens of a municipality can oblige the responsible municipal body (municipal council, committee, first mayor) or citizens of a district can oblige the responsible district body to deal with a specific matter at a meeting.

A citizens' petition must relate to municipal matters at municipal level and district matters at district level. It may not relate to a matter for which a citizens' petition has already been submitted within one year prior to the submission of the petition.

The citizens' petition at municipal level must be signed by at least 1% of municipal residents. Municipal citizens are entitled to sign. The citizens' petition must be submitted to the municipality with a justification. In addition, up to three persons must be nominated who are authorized to represent the signatories. This applies accordingly at district level.

If there are no legal objections to the citizens' petition, the responsible municipal or district authority determines its admissibility. It must then deal with the citizens' petition.

The municipal or district authority responsible for dealing with the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens' petition within one month of the petition being submitted.

Once the admissibility of the citizens' petition has been established, it must be dealt with by the responsible municipal body or, at district level, the district body within three months.

The municipal or district authority responsible for dealing with the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens' petition within one month of the petition being submitted.

Once the admissibility of the citizens' petition has been established, it must be dealt with by the responsible municipal body or, at district level, the district body within three months.