The idea of referendum appeared in the XVIII century in the US in New England State and then spread over the other states.

Then it was conveyed to France, Switzerland. After the First World War the institute of referendum was established in Lichtenstein and later in other states of Western Europe. “Historically the appearance of the institute of referendum is bound with the non-confidence of the people to the parliament”, specialist of constitutional right Vardan Poghosyan says.

«Referendum is a means of exercising direct democracy, when problems are solved by people, who vote “for” or “against”. The principal kind of democracy is representative, that is people elect their representatives – deputies, President and exercise their power with the help of these people. Direct democracy cannot replace the representative one. It would be naive to consider that all the important issues will be solved positively», he considers.

Constitutional amendments in the Rep. of Armenia can be initiated by the President or the National Assembly. In a number of countries, the possibilities of conducting a referendum are much wider and what is the most important thing, the citizens possess the right to initiate referendum. These states are Albania, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia, etc.

In semi-presidential states there is no right to hold vote on no confidence to the President on a civic initiative. “In Austria, Iceland and Slovakia the parliament can pass a resolution on withdrawal of the President via a referendum. If the people do not support the initiative the parliament is dismissed”, Vardan Poghosyan noted. In his opinion one of the shortcomings of our Constitution is the absence of people’s right for any kind of initiative. In 9 European states with the essential number of signatures the citizens can suggest to hold a referendum on a bill. In Italy a referendum may be held on cancellation of a law or its separate clauses. “As result of constitutional changes the people should be rendered the right for civic and legislative initiatives”, Vardan Poghosyan resumed.

by Victoria Abrahamyan
[Taken from www.a1plus.am]