Mission: Opinion Forming
Nationwide referendums are possible!
Does all power really emanate from the people, as intended by our Basic German Law? A large number of people long for more transparency, more participation, in short, more democracy. The proposed solution: nationwide referendums - following the Swiss model. Initiated by the OMNIBUS for Direct Democracy, Mehr Demokratie Hamburg, Democracy International and Change.org, a nationwide referendum will be held parallel to the 2021 federal elections. A test vote has already been held and successfully counted. Almost 46,000 people took part.
The following eight questions were voted on: climate change 1.5 degrees, minimum wage 12 €, mandatory lobby register, unconditional basic income, donating food instead of wasting it, organic farming, no fracking and implementation of nationwide referendums.
A staggering 94.63% of the voters agreed on the issue of a mandatory lobby register. There is clearly a need to make political processes more comprehensible and thus strengthen citizens' trust in their so-called representatives. It is clear to many that lobbyists use their financial resources and networks to influence members of parliament, who in turn determine our laws. Therefore, a publicly accessible register is required in which all lobbyists are documented along with their budget, on whose behalf and on which issue they exert influence on politicians.
A very clear majority also voted for climate change 1.5 degrees, which is one of many topics that seem important to the people in this country but which have not yet made it through the Bundestag. Why not, when all power should come from the people?
Brigitte Krenkers, co-founder and partner of OMNIBUS for Direct Democracy, puts it aptly: "The result of the vote shows that politics is far from the real will and goals of the people. A democratic, fairly regulated voting right at federal level can close this gap. Going to the polls - or not - is no longer enough. This test referendum and the many nationwide referendums before show that it can be done. We will continue until the right to vote by referendum at federal level is in place".
You also want more democracy? Go here for more information and opportunities to get involved.