Legal provisions for direct democracy at the local level

Optional Referendum
- Finnish Local Government Act: Section 30, 31
- Act on Procedure for Local Consultative Referendum

Agenda Initiative
- Finnish Local Government Act: Section 28
 

THE FINNISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT

(Adopted1995)

http://www.localfinland.fi/en/authorities/local-self-government/Documents/Finnish%20Local%20Government%20Act.pdf

Section 28 – Right of initiative

Local residentshave the right to submit initiatives to the local authority in matters relatedto its operations. Persons submitting initiatives shall be informed of actiontaken as a result of an initiative. At least once a year, the council shall beinformed of all initiatives submitted in matters within its purview and ofaction taken as a result. (…)

Section 30 –Municipal referenda

The council can decide to hold areferendum on any matter resting with the local authority.

Referendaare advisory. (…)

Section 31 –Referendum proposals

Local residents representing at leastfive per cent of those entitled to vote may initiate a referendum. The councilshall decide without delay whether to hold a referendum as proposed.

Act on Procedurefor Local Consultative Referendum

(Adopted1990)

http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/1990/19900656

Section 1: T?m? laki koskee menettely?, jota noudatetaankunnallislain 10 a luvussa tarkoitetuissa neuvoa-antavissa kunnallisissakansan??nestyksiss?.