The Government refused the private members’ Bill on referendum (zákon o referendu) that was proposed by a group of deputies. The primary objections to the Bill were raised even before its deliberation by the Government; those objections mention primarily unclear provisions of the Bill on which issues may be decided. The Government expressed concern regarding provisions under which voters might change the Constitution through the referendum. Further according to the Bill, there is no minimum quorum of voters that must take part in the referendum to make the decision relevant. As previously stated, there are no constitutional guarantees that even less than 100,000 voters may change the Constitution.

The Government also confirmed its support to direct democracy instruments. The Government would put forward its own version of the Bill on Referendum in 2014.

For further information, click here (press release).