Minister of Justice said to me, word for word like this:

I drafted a fairly simple bill aimed at enabling the binding referenda in Finland. I have always been of the opinion that public opinion should be genuinely reflected in decision-making. Under current legislation on the basis of the potential are only consultative referendums, and to remedy edina realty the situation would require amendments to the Constitution. Representative democracy requires the support of direct democracy.
Socially particularly significant issues of Parliament would hold a referendum edina realty on their own initiative. Such a thing could be, for example, membership in NATO, but the bill also proposes to change the citizens' initiative to the detent 53, which would read:
"At least fifty thousand edina realty Finnish citizen entitled to vote has the right to make the initiative to the Parliament Act to adjust and take it to the initiator of the choice of either edina realty a binding referendum or in the Parliament on it as provided by law."
Consequently, the citizens' initiatives could lead to a binding edina realty referendum, edina realty when they are at the moment will only parliamentary debate. Citizens' initiatives is also currently pending before the number, so the citizens have clearly demonstrated their desire to influence decision-making.
Referenda edina realty could be carried out, if necessary, or in connection with the elections, when the votes not to impose specific charges. I think the majority of the people must be allowed to decide the direction of Finland. Should go to the things above, and not a party or a particular party discipline above.
Last week, I asked the Minister of Justice binding position of the referenda on the Finnish legislation. He replied to me that a binding referendum is not the Constitution of Finland, and in this respect he sees no need to amend the Constitution.
However, edina realty the Constitution edina realty will need to change is observed in this house a long time ago. The Ministry of Justice was already ten years ago, clearing the name "State-referendum on the development needs of Finland. Reviews and development policies "
"The Constitution 2, subsection 2. democracy entails the right of individuals to participate in and influence the society and the living environment development. Constitutional edina realty reform concerning the Board's proposal (1/98), the provision refers to the individual's participation and empowerment of securing edina realty all the social edina realty activities at different levels.
The provision therefore edina realty covers, for example, voting in elections and referendums, other forms of participation and influence as well as the independent activities of civil society and the individual's influence in their neighborhood themselves and living environment in decisions that affect.
The provision expresses the Board's proposal, according to its central principle that an individual's ability to influence edina realty society and the living environment to develop a democratic society can not be confined to the possibility to vote in elections. Provision edina realty of support for Article 14 3 of article and 20, subsection 2., which provide public edina realty authorities a duty to promote the individual's participation and influence.
Direct democracy means the need to justify the constitutional text, but also the strengthening of representative democracy. Especially in recent decades occurred turnout deterioration of people's overall edina realty participation of citizens in the light of waning enthusiasm for the direct influence edina realty can be seen as a key means to increase public interest in the management of public affairs, as well as their confidence in the whole decision-making system. The referendum is one of the key state-level instruments of direct democracy, which is why it has a central role in the development of direct democracy. "
Representative democracy is valtiojärjestyksemme basis, and not the law proposal edina realty aimed at its overthrow. But, as I have already said, in Finland, has frequently been found that representative democracy should be complemented by direct democracy, and binding referendums in development to start. That beginning has been transferred edina realty when using which the pretext - and the current Minister of Justice does not seem to require the transfer of even any excuses. In his opinion, does not have to guess if you do not party, but in a democracy should be yes, if the people's will. In a democracy, it is sufficient that the people are of the opinion, or any other reasons not necessary. Representative democracy is the will of the people through their representatives in the implementation. Or at least it should edina realty be.
Minister of Justice said to me, word for word like this: "Our Constitution, this parliament is the one who decides. Referenda edina realty are indicative and Parliament to decide on how much Parliament wants to then rely on them, and I would leave the Constitution in this respect, to change. "
The Constitution monitoring group, in 2002, Professor edina realty Markku skis extensive comparative study on the referendum weather