Legal provisions for direct democracy at the regional level

“Since 1990 a full-scale citizens’ initiative has been provided in all 16 regional states of Germany, and also an agenda initiative in 12 states.” (p. 89)

“Mandatory referendums are only existent in Bavaria and Hesse for constitutional amendments. Government-initiated referendums on a regulated basis are exceptions. In a few states a minority of parliament members (e.g. one-third) can request a (rejective) referendum on a new bill passed if supported by a quorum of citizens’ signatures (Rhineland Palatinate).” (p. 91)

Source: Theo Schiller, “Initiative Instruments in Germany: Variations in Regional States,” in Maija Setälä and Theo Schiller, eds.: Citizens’ Initiatives in Europe: Procedures and Consequences of Agenda-Setting by citizens. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.

CONSTITUTION OF BERLIN (Adopted 1995; last amended 2010)

Article 61: (1) All residents of Berlin shall have the right to bring to the House of Representatives certain Berlin-related subjects of the political formation of will that lie within its decision-making competence. The initiative must be signed by 20,000 Berlin residents of at least sixteen years of age. Its representatives shall have the right to be heard on the competent committees.

Article 62: (1) Petitions for a referendum may be aimed at making, amending or rescinding laws as long as the legislative competence lies with Land Berlin. They may also be aimed at passing other resolutions on policy issues affecting Berlin and under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives. Only one petition for a referendum on any one subject shall be admissible within one legislative period.

CONSTITUTION OF BRANDENBURG (Adopted 1992; last amended 2009)

2. ABSCHNITT: DIE GESETZGEBUNG
ARTIKEL 76 (VOLKSINITIATIVE)
(1) Alle Einwohner haben das Recht, dem Landtag im Rahmen seiner Zuständigkeit bestimmte Gegenstände der politischen Willensbildung zu unterbreiten. Diese Volksinitiative kann auch Gesetzentwürfe und Anträge auf Auflösung des Landtages einbringen. Die Initiative muß von mindestens zwanzigtausend Einwohnern, bei Anträgen auf Auflösung des Landtages von mindestens einhundertfünfzigtausend Stimmberechtigten unterzeichnet sein. Ihre Vertreter haben das Recht auf Anhörung.

 ARTIKEL 77 (VOLKSBEGEHREN)
(1) Stimmt der Landtag einem Gesetzentwurf, einem Antrag auf Auflösung des Landtages oder einer anderen Vorlage nach Artikel 76 innerhalb von vier Monaten nicht zu, findet auf Verlangen der Vertreter der Initiative ein Volksbegehren statt.

Germany, a federal state, consists of 16 regional states (Länder). All Länder provide for citizens' initiatives. Legal provisions for mandatory referenda, optional referenda, agenda initiatives, and recall are present only in some Länder. The Constitutions of Berlin and Brandenburg are cited here as examples of Länder with constitutional provisions for both citizens’ initiative and agenda initiative. See Theo Schiller, “Initiative Instruments in Germany” (cited in sources), for details.