The Hungarian Regulation of the National Referendum
The Hungarian Regulation of the National Referendum

Summary/Abstract: According to Article B) Section (4) of the Fundamental Law of Hungary, “The power shall be exercised by the people through elected representatives or, in exceptional cases, directly”. The means of direct exercise of power is the referendum, which has been in the focus of political and public interest in Hungary almost continuously since the change of regime in 1990. A referendum or a popular initiative allows the people to "seize" the direct decision-making at any time. After presenting the legislation, the article describes who can initiate a national referendum. The initiator should formulate and submit the question. He then presents the process of the referendum procedure, the rules for authenticating the issue and collecting signatures, and the ordering and setting of a national referendum based on these. If the issue complies with the law and the collection of signatures was also regular, then a valid and effective referendum can give effect to the instrument of direct exercise of power.

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