Local Referendums in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland as Starting Points for Legislative Changes to Local Referendums in Slovakia

Abstract

The local referendum is the most frequently used institution of direct democracy
in the European Union countries, including the Slovak Republic. Since 2000,
however, it has been implemented to a limited extent compared to other countries.
The present comparative analysis examines the reasons for this situation
within the Visegrad Four countries, which jointly returned to democratic standards
of local self-government after 1989. The paper also analyses and compares
the legal regulation of local referendums in the Visegrad Four countries and
maps the areas and reasons for initiating local referendums in these countries.
In particular, the thesis focuses on the most discussed topic – the level of quorum
for initiating, validity and effectiveness of local referendum results. Based on the
results of the comparative analysis, Slovakia could benefit from a modification
of the legislation in favour of greater flexibility and a reduction of administrative
obstacles. Taking inspiration from the Czech model of variable quorum, or the
Hungarian autonomy in organizing a referendum, would contribute to a better
functioning of the local referendum institution and increase its accessibility for
citizens. The thesis is the only one of its kind to present comprehensive data on
local referendums held in the Visegrad Four countries from their establishment in
the period from 1991 to 2022.