Chapter 17: The Referendum

This chapter summarizes current constitutional design regarding referendum clauses. It is based on the review of national constitutions and seeks to establish a common ground for writing and amending constitutions. What are the differences between a legislative referendum, a popular initiative, and a popular referendum? Who is entitled to initiate a referendum and who can determine its scope and subject? Are there limitations to the subject matters and what are the procedural specifications? A particular emphasis lies on temporal requirements and the quorum for a successful outcome, as well as the potential judicial review. This chapter forms part of Vol. I of Writing Constitutions.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94602-9_17