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The law on referendums – a completion of the legal framework of democracy

Ligji mbi referendumin - plotësim i kuadrit juridik të demokracisë

La legge sul referendum – un completamento del quadro giuridico della democrazia

Original newspaper scan

Original newspaper scan

The conditions of Albanian society after 1991 require a new level of change... The conditions of Albanian society after 1991 require a new level of change in democratic governance, within the framework of aspirations to join European states. For this reason, it is necessary that any particularly important decision not be taken only by representative bodies, but also directly by the people. In this sense, the law on referendums represents one of the most important institutions of democracy. It gives citizens the opportunity to express themselves directly on major issues. A referendum is a form of popular sovereignty and ensures broader participation of citizens in public life. The draft law “On referendums” deals with the ways, procedures, and cases in which a referendum is held. It defines the entities that may request it, the manner of proclamation, organization, and verification of the result. The relevant articles specify the powers of the Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and other state institutions. Through this law, the aim is to avoid legal gaps and create clear rules for direct decision-making. In this way, the referendum law is seen as an important step in the consolidation of pluralist democracy in Albania.