Coalition Aims to Address Abuse in Referendum Process

Representatives from the coalition parties are considering reforms to the existing framework governing popular initiatives, expressing concern over the increasing number of such petitions. The current fee to submit a referendum is EUR3,421.50, but if the initiative garners more than 100,000 signatures, the submitters are reimbursed fivefold, amounting to EUR17,107.50. Members from both the ÖVP and SPÖ parties have identified potential for misuse in this system, prompting discussions on reform.

Recently, the registration period for three popular initiatives concluded, with one proposal against the ORF household fee successfully gathering 119,368 signatures. However, two other initiatives, including one advocating against profit-making by referendum initiators, failed to meet the required support. The rise in the number of popular initiatives has been significant since the introduction of digital support for the process in 2018, which allows for easier registration through ID-Austria. Last year alone saw 14 initiatives presented for signature.

ÖVP constitutional spokesperson Wolfgang Gerstl highlighted the potential for misuse in recent referendum trends, noting cases where initiatives have been launched both in favor of and against the same issue, essentially turning them into polls while also collecting funds from both sides. SPÖ constitutional spokesperson Muna Duzdar echoed these concerns and suggested that a discussion on limiting reimbursements to actual costs incurred by initiative proponents could be beneficial.

The Interior Ministry, which oversees popular initiatives, has expressed support for these reform efforts. In a statement, officials emphasized that while popular initiatives are vital for democratic participation, any misuse aimed at financial gain is unacceptable. They noted that the fee structure, established in 2018, was originally based on the costs associated with traditional printed materials for awareness campaigns, which have since transitioned to more cost-effective digital formats.

The Interior Ministry opened its doors to assist parliamentary parties in drafting a potential amendment, offering expertise and resources to streamline the process. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how these changes will shape the future of popular initiatives in the country.