Direct Democracy in Belgium obstacles, practices and prospects - Michaël Bauwens - Democratie.Nu | obstacles, practices and prospects - Michaël Bauwens - Democratie.Nu |

Content about Belgium DD in Belgium - or the lack of it political and legal problems with DD semi-DD procedures prospects and plans about Belgium DD in Belgium - or the lack of it political and legal problems with DD semi-DD procedures prospects and plans

Belgium population 10,396,421 (57%D, 43%F) surface 30,528 km 2 federal capital Brussels head of state King Albert II prime minister Guy Verhofstadt political structure federal country official languages Dutch, French and German

political map of Belgium

DD in Belgium DD : binding popular votes No DD on the federal level No DD on the regional level (communities and regions) No DD on the local level (provinces and communes) DD : binding popular votes No DD on the federal level No DD on the regional level (communities and regions) No DD on the local level (provinces and communes)

Political obstacles Political majority in favor of DD Flanders/Wallonia : Walloonian socialists fear DD will lead to problems 1950 plebiscite on the “royal question” usual fear of politicians for DD Political majority in favor of DD Flanders/Wallonia : Walloonian socialists fear DD will lead to problems 1950 plebiscite on the “royal question” usual fear of politicians for DD

Legal problems Constitution: “ Art. 33 All power emanates from the Nation. This power is exerted in the manner established by the Constitution.” “Nation” considered to be past, present and future generations of Belgians State Council: ‘Representative system is not compatible with direct-democratic procedures.’ Constitution: “ Art. 33 All power emanates from the Nation. This power is exerted in the manner established by the Constitution.” “Nation” considered to be past, present and future generations of Belgians State Council: ‘Representative system is not compatible with direct-democratic procedures.’

semi-DD procedures Constitution: “ Art. 28 Everyone has the right to address petitions signed by one or more persons to the public authorities. [...]” petition, not an Agenda Initiative very weak agenda-setting instrument Constitution: “ Art. 28 Everyone has the right to address petitions signed by one or more persons to the public authorities. [...]” petition, not an Agenda Initiative very weak agenda-setting instrument

Regional level: Flanders “Verzoekschrift”= petition Chairman of parliament decides what happens to the petition If signed by people, parliament is forced to ‘investigate’ the petition, but without the obligation to put the proposal to a vote ‘First undersigned’ can be heard in parliament “Verzoekschrift”= petition Chairman of parliament decides what happens to the petition If signed by people, parliament is forced to ‘investigate’ the petition, but without the obligation to put the proposal to a vote ‘First undersigned’ can be heard in parliament

Local level : “Volksraadpleging” 1 Non-binding, consultative popular vote triggered by authorities or citizens signature treshold : 20% of inhabitants for communes people participation quorum = signature treshold Non-binding, consultative popular vote triggered by authorities or citizens signature treshold : 20% of inhabitants for communes people participation quorum = signature treshold

“Volksraadpleging” 2 excluded issues (finances, persons,...) authorities decide about the question very bad experiences with authorities changing the question, not counting votes, ignoring result,... excluded issues (finances, persons,...) authorities decide about the question very bad experiences with authorities changing the question, not counting votes, ignoring result,...

Local level Flanders: real citizens’ initiative almost certain (approved by gov. but not yet by parliament) signature tresholds: 2% of inhabitants (16yr) for communes people right to be heard local authorities have to take a position on the question almost certain (approved by gov. but not yet by parliament) signature tresholds: 2% of inhabitants (16yr) for communes people right to be heard local authorities have to take a position on the question

What to do about it? ‘WIT for direct democracy’ established in 1995, focus on lobbying change of name, logo, website and strategy in 2005 “We don’t live in a democracy, we live in a particracy” 5 gangsters and your wallet ‘WIT for direct democracy’ established in 1995, focus on lobbying change of name, logo, website and strategy in 2005 “We don’t live in a democracy, we live in a particracy” 5 gangsters and your wallet

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