The basic rules of referendums have been enshrined in the constitution under which parliament must call a referendum if 200,000 signatures are collected. If however 100,000 signatures are collected, or if either the president or the government makes a request, parliament has the option to vote on calling one.

At least half of Hungary’s 8 million voters must turn up to the popular ballot for the referendum to be valid and more than half of votes must be cast in one way to make it successful.

Under rules parliament adopted on Tuesday, successful referendums should oblige lawmakers to pass legislation in line with the voters’ will within six months. The laws passed this way must remain in force for at least three years after the day of their promulgation.

The newly adopted rules provide the option for voting in a referendum by mail or at Hungary’s missions abroad. The law will take effect on the day Hungary holds its general election in the spring of 2014.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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