Majority required in a referendum

7.7.2016

Question for written answer E-005576-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Patricija Šulin (PPE) , Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)

Referendums are an important instrument of direct democracy. In the Member States they are attracting growing interest, and the reasons for holding them are increasing. The issues to be decided can sometimes have wider implications extending not just to the country where a referendum takes place, but also to other Member States or, more precisely, to the functioning of the EU. The British referendum has highlighted the potential risks of decision-taking by referendum, particularly with regard to the majority required for a referendum result to be valid.

1. What is the Commission's view on national referendums on matters having a cross-border impact or affecting the functioning of the EU?