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Tempelhof referendum be directed more against the government

Sunday 18 January 2009 02:42 - By Christine Richter

It's amazing: hardly occurs in Berlin, an initiative to gather votes for a public petition, and then takes their concerns very strong response, political leaders have been trying everything to hinder this initiative.

to do this was at the Tempelhof airport, when the initiators were fighting with the help of industry associations, the CDU, the FDP and other sensible people for the receipt and the signature gathering was complicated with little tricks. Currently you can do this again in the referendum for the introduction of an elective observe religion / ethics, which has overcome the first important step and now is headed for a referendum. SPD and Left Party - but once again, and led by the Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit (SPD) - try to make it difficult to succeed. The latest idea: The final vote, that the referendum should after Wowereit will not the day of the European elections on 7 Take place in June, but as soon as possible. If people on 7 June to go vote, it is namely well possible that a quorum is reached by some 610 000 votes. Although it would still be the majority of the votes cast "yes" votes, but that would create perhaps, if the first condition is met. What a transparent system maneuvers. wanted more citizen involvement - Surprising

are the reactions of the incumbent government is also because just the SPD and Left Party - supported by the Greens. "More democracy" was a few years ago the magic word. translated not only in Berlin Social Democrats, leftists and Greens for one, specify that citizens of urban and local politics are. So that the people are not being deterred from the outset of the initiative were in Berlin even lowered the quorum. The position of the CDU, which was against such a constitutional amendment has been ignored.

But how is this so in the political life: in their enthusiasm for more civic participation has red-red-green in mind that such initiatives are always against the respective governments. A petition, with the intention of the government will be supported, and even nonsense. Who is surprised that those who are dissatisfied with government policies start, petitions, who has not thought along.

And the people want - so, the experience of recent years - have their say. This was during the debate on the Tempelhof Airport, the project Media Spree in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, and now the religious education significantly. A wise government should be concerned that people will develop even can. This is only a date on which many people as possible can cast their vote. And therefore the establishment of such a deadline is about "more democracy" to do so. Regardless of who forms the government.

Source: Berliner Morgenpost