Direct democracy in Lithuania

ENThe conducted research positively verified the hypothesis assumed that in Lithuania direct democracy functions in the legal and formal as well as practical dimension. It should be pointed out though that the constitutional and statutory provisions regulate the institutions of direct democracy only on a national level while there are no solutions that make it possible to resort to a referendum on a local level. The question of a local referendum was the subject of a referendum initiative only once. Secondly, the hypothesis assuming that the implementation of solutions of direct democracy in the decision making process is an indicator of the political awareness of Lithuanians was also positively verified. An observable regularity in the history of Lithuania is that the direct democracy institutions are prevented from operating (or are only a superficial facade) in the periods of authoritarian and totalitarian rule. On the basis of the analysis of the referendums organized in Lithuania, it should be pointed out that a major problem of Lithuania’s direct democracy is the low level of public interest in the issues put to the vote, which results in a low turnout. Because of the problems with meeting referendum validity thresholds, four out of twelve referendums were unsuccessful. In other three cases the required turnout levels were achieved but the proposals lacking the appropriate level of citizens’ support. Thirdly, the hypothesis assuming that the EU accession had a positive impact on the development of direct democracy in Lithuania was also positively verified. It should be stressed that Lithuania administered the accession referendum and since 2004 the application of the institution of direct democracy has been growing systematically. In addition, since 2012 the Lithuanians have been able to use the European Citizens’ Initiative. [p. 161-162].

• Politikos mokslai / Political sciences
• Istorija / History