Treatment in Parliament
The Parliament pulls the initiative request in its next meeting in treatment.
Simple suggestion
If a petition has been submitted in the form of a simple suggestion, Parliament shall declare whether or not it agrees with the petition submitted.
- If it agrees, Parliament shall settle the suggestion by enacting, repealing or amending a law (the Constitution), subject to referendum and the consent of the Prince Regnant.
- If the Parliament does not approve the simple proposal, it shall lapse. However, Parliament may, in turn, decide to hold a referendum: If in this case the absolute majority of the validly voting expresses itself in favor of the popular proposal or suggestion of the Parliament, the Parliament shall elaborate the accepted suggestion in terms of the popular vote. The decision in this regard is usually subject to optional referendum.
Formulated initiatives
If the initiative request has been submitted in the form of a formulated draft, Parliament shall declare whether or not it approves the draft initiative as it stands.
- If it approves, Parliament shall settle the initiative by enacting, repealing or amending a law (the Constitution), subject to referendum and the consent of the Prince Regnant.
- If Parliament does not approve the draft, it shall instruct the Government to hold a referendum. The Parliament has the Legal Division to prepare its own proposals or an amended version of the draft and, if necessary, justify them in a message to the people.
The referendum
If a referendum is held, the Government shall order it within 14 days at the latest. The referendum shall be held within three months.
Further information
Law on the Exercise of the Political Rights of the People in National Matters