About: Referendum
Why Orbán’s ‘child protection referendum’ makes no sense, and why it does
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's controversial referendum about the so-called "Child Protection Act", which triggered infringement procedures by the European Commission over its measures targeting the LGBTQ+ community, may not be legally sound but makes considerable political sense, writes Zoltán Kovács.
French constitutional change on environmental preservation faces long road ahead
The French government will unveil a draft revision of the Constitution on Wednesday (20 January) to include the notion of environmental preservation. While the ultimate aim is to submit this proposal to the French public, holding a referendum seems a distant prospect. EURACTIV France reports.
A reminder of Jacques Chirac’s U-turn on Europe
During his political career, Jacques Chirac, who died on Thursday (26 September), made a complete U-turn on Europe, from calling Europe a "mollusc" in 1979 to becoming a European of reason, then of heart. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
Romanian ruling social-democrats suffer heavy loss
Romania's pro-European parties inflicted a serious defeat on Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) in the European parliament elections Sunday (26 May), according to partial official results.
Romania’s anti-corruption referendum explained
Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday (26 May), Romanians will be taking part in another vote: a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption. President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the...
Ireland votes in EU elections amid Brexit concerns
Phased EU-wide elections take place in Ireland on Friday (24 May) after a campaign dominated by concerns over neighbouring Britain's messy bid to leave the bloc, and as eurosceptic forces elsewhere in Europe hope to create a political earthquake.
Iohannis: Teach Romanian ruling party a lesson at referendum
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis urged the nation Thursday (25 April) to vote next month in a referendum on judicial reforms, calling it a chance to teach the ruling left-wing social democrats "a lesson".
Debate in France over holding referendum on same day as European election
The idea of holding a referendum on national issues from the French “great debate” at the same time as the European elections is generating much discussion, both within the ruling ranks and the opposition. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron eyeing referendum on EU election day
President Emmanuel Macron is considering organising what would be the first referendum in France in 14 years as part of his response to the "yellow vest" protests, a report said on Sunday (3 February).
Several thousand Macedonians gather to support EU, NATO membership
Several thousand Macedonians gathered in the capital Skopje on Sunday (16 September) to express their support for NATO and European Union membership bids and for a change in the country's name.
US defense chief to visit Macedonia, concerned about Russian ‘mischief’
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday (11 September) he would visit Macedonia before the 30 September referendum on changing the country's name, also expressing concern about suspected Russian interference in the vote, which Moscow denies.
We are ready to welcome you, NATO chief tells Macedonia
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Macedonians on Thursday (6 September) to vote in a referendum to embrace a deal on its name with neighbouring Greece and join the defence alliance.
UK voters should make final Brexit decision if talks with EU collapse -poll
If Brexit talks break down without a deal, half of Britons believe the final decision over whether to leave the European Union should be taken by the public in a referendum, according to a survey.
Russia tests the waters for Donbas referendum
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Thursday (26 July) that the question of holding a referendum in eastern Ukraine was touched upon at a meeting of representatives of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine in Berlin, the RIA news agency reported.
EU begins screening Macedonia, Albania for mid-2019 accession talks
The European Union began screening the readiness of Balkan neighbours Macedonia and Albania yesterday (17 July) to start negotiations by June next year on joining the EU.
Northern Italy referendum: Regions seek greater autonomy
Two wealthy northern regions in Italy voted on Sunday (22 October) in favour of having increased independence from Rome, in a non-binding referendum that set the stage for negotiations on more autonomy with the central government.
Italian regions vote in favour of autonomy in shadow of Catalonia crisis
Two wealthy regions of northern Italy voted overwhelmingly yesterday (22 October) for greater autonomy in referendums that could fan regional tensions in Europe at a time when Spain is striving to prevent Catalonia from breaking away.
At UN, Erdogan demands Iraqi Kurds call off referendum, warns of ‘consequences’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday (19 September) demanded that Iraqi Kurds call off a referendum on independence, hinting at consequences if they go ahead.
Iraq, Turkey step up pressure over Kurdish independence vote
Iraq and Turkey yesterday (14 September) stepped up the pressure on Iraqi Kurdistan over its planned independence referendum, as the governor of oil-rich Kirkuk province that decided to take part in the vote was sacked.
Italy’s central bank warns against euro exit as election nears
Italy's central bank warned today (31 May) that leaving the eurozone would not solve the country's economic problems, as two major parties campaign to drop the common currency before an election that may come as soon as this autumn.
Juncker trusts EU could survive ‘President Le Pen’
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sees no need for “contingency planning” regarding the French presidential election, as the EU is strong enough to survive even if the Eurosceptic candidate wins, his spokesperson said today (21 April).
‘We know we will lose influence’ May tells MPs as she triggers Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May admitted today the UK would both lose influence and not be able to ‘cherry pick’ the advantages of EU membership, as she briefed MPs in London on the two years of unprecedented negotiations with Brussels ahead.
May to trigger Article 50 on 29 March
Theresa May will trigger Article 50 on 29 March, her office announced today (20 March), starting two-years of unprecedented negotiations for a country to leave the 28-member bloc for the first time.