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The federal popular initiative (German: Eidegenössische Volksinitiative, French: Initiative populaire fédérale, Italian: Iniziativa popolare federale, Romansh: Iniziativa federala dal pievel), is a Swiss civic right enabling 100,000 citizens with voting rights to propose a total or partial amendment to the Federal Constitution and submit it to a popular vote. The citizens behind the initiative, grouped together in an initiative committee, have 18 months in which to gather the approval of 100,000 citizens.[1] To do this, the 100,000 citizens must affix their handwritten signatures to a signature list, including the text and title of the popular initiative. If 100,000 signatures are collected within 18 months, the initiative is put to the vote. If this is not the case, the initiative is declared "unsuccessful" and the procedure is terminated. The right of initiative also has its counterpart at cantonal and communal level; the procedure, including the number of signatures required and the deadline for collecting them, varies from one sovereign Swiss canton to another.
First used in 1893,[2] the federal popular initiative has gradually developed over time to become one of the main means of expression for political parties or groups, used to bring about constitutional change without having to consult or obtain the approval of the federal authorities. From its inception to 2018, 215 such votes were held, an average of 1.69 per year. Although unlikely to be successful (around 10% of popular initiatives put to the vote are accepted),[2] the federal popular initiative makes it possible to provoke public debate on issues that are not always addressed in traditional parliamentary debates.[3] In addition, the federal parliament may oppose the initiative with a direct or indirect counter-proposal, which may or may not take up part of the initiative's demands.
From time to time, the advantages and disadvantages of the federal popular initiative are debated: public awareness of certain issues and the possibility of making demands that go beyond the priorities set by the authorities are set against the risk of this tool being used by demagogic and well-organized groups, and the considerable financial resources required for the popular vote campaign.
- ^ "Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse". Fedlex: La plateforme de publication du droit fédéral. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b ChF, Chancellerie fédérale. "Droits politiques". www.bk.admin.ch (in French). Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Godin, Romaric (28 December 2018). "Comment fonctionne la démocratie directe suisse". Mediapart (in French). Retrieved 23 May 2024.