After the Fernpass case

Neos for referendum: “Hurdles insurmountable”

Calls for a referendum were recently raised again.

(Bild: Cevahir)

The right of the population to have a say, for example in the form of referendums, does exist in Tyrol, but according to the Tyrolean Neos, it is "massively restricted". They are calling for changes. One of the FPÖ's demands was successful.

The referendum is an essential instrument of direct democracy. In contrast to a referendum, it is held before a law is passed in the National Council and allows politicians to find out the opinion of the population before final decisions are made. It is also possible to consult the population of a federal state on issues that have to be regulated by state law. In contrast to the outcome of a referendum, the result of a referendum has no legally binding effect. Since this option was introduced at federal level in 1989, one Austria-wide referendum has been held to date. This took place in January 2013 - it was about compulsory military service in Austria.

This massively restricts the Tyroleans' right to have a say, reinforces the impression of aloof politics and prevents solutions from being found

Dominik Oberhofer, Neos-Klubobmann

Bild: Birbaumer Christof

According to Dominik Oberhofer, club chairman of the Neos, the hurdles for the Tyrolean population to have a say are "insurmountable" - above all so that citizens can hold a referendum even against the will of those in power. "This massively restricts the Tyroleans' right to have a say, reinforces the impression of aloof politics and prevents solutions," says Oberhofer.

Unrealistic hurdles
What does this mean in concrete terms? "The conditions for direct democracy are difficult. After all, it takes 7500 people at provincial level to go to the local authority and submit a certified signature for a citizens' initiative. That's why no referendum has ever been initiated by citizens," says Oberhofer. This quorum is the opposite of direct democracy. Bureaucratic and completely unrealistic hurdles make citizen participation "a dead right" in the state constitution. This must be "changed", the Neos politician is convinced.

The aim was to strengthen direct democracy in Innsbruck. However, a veritable prank orgy then began in the state of Tyrol.

Neos-GR Julia Seidl

Bild: NEOS

The city of Innsbruck is also affected by this issue - keyword: amendment of the city law. "We have been working on this for seven years. The aim was to strengthen direct democracy in Innsbruck. However, the state of Tyrol then began a veritable orgy of cuts. Our proposals were cut down to such an extent that nothing is left of our pioneering role in the area of citizen participation," says Julia Seidl, member of the Neos council, giving free rein to her displeasure.

Disenchantment with politics is growing
One aspect in particular has the politician fuming: "The fact that the quorum hurdles for citizens' initiatives have been raised from the 200 signatures required to the electoral threshold (currently 1183) and at the same time the legal obligation to vote has been removed. Then we might as well delete the whole passage." If you make it so difficult for the population to have a say and politicians don't even have to abide by the results, disenchantment with politics will only increase, Seidl emphasizes.

Politicians must not be afraid of the citizens, but must offer sensible platforms for direct democracy at all levels.

Dominik Oberhofer, Neos-Klubobmann

Bild: Birbaumer Christof

"The best example of this is the referendums at municipal level on the Pitztal/Ötztal merger. Discussed for years at state level, a referendum solved this problem on a Sunday. Politicians must not be afraid of the citizens, but must offer sensible platforms for direct democracy at all levels," demands Oberhofer. The Neos have submitted two corresponding motions to the state parliament.

FPÖ demand bears fruit
As reported, thanks to an initiative by the Tyrolean FPÖ, it became public that an unbelievable development was underway in Tyrol, particularly in the area of "drugs in road traffic". The party then made demands of the provincial government - with success. "The provincial government is calling on the Ministry of the Interior to provide the Tyrolean Police Directorate with the best possible internal organizational support in order to maintain the positive development in the enforcement area of 'drugs in road traffic'," reads the resolution passed at the March provincial parliament. And further: "The provincial government is requested to ensure the availability of doctors for examinations in accordance with §5 StVO in the area of the district authorities."