tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18163381465918173792023-06-20T21:53:46.125-07:00The European DemocratThis blog has been created as a link among European Movements working to introduce Direct Democracy as the government system for the countries within the European Union.
Contributions coming from national blogs shall be published here in English.Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-13260231738159507912010-05-30T14:29:00.000-07:002010-05-30T14:41:58.770-07:00A Great Victory !!!In course of our DDEV meeting in Prag on March 5, 2010 we have had as a guest John Radek and Kristina Koci, the leader and a leading officer of Veci Verejne, a new political Movement in the Czech Republic.<br />Veci Verejne ( Public affairs ) is a party fostering Direct Democracy, and after some years of hard work has become popular in the Czech Republic where most of the citizens are disgusted from the corruption of the political parties which have run the post-comunist era governments.<br /><br />Yesterday, Saturday May 29, the results in the nation-wide polls gave Veci Verejne an astonishing 10,9%.<br />It never happened that a new political movement could get such a wonderful result : we consider that the concept of Direct Democracy has offered to many Czech citizens the hope to overcome the present miserable situation.<br /><br />We wish John Radek all the best, and will propose to the DDEV European Committe to offer him to lead the Direct Democrats in the Czech Republic !!!<br /><br />Federico ToniniAuthorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-26168412234840822662009-12-01T17:09:00.000-08:002009-12-01T17:33:21.248-08:00DDEV Newsletter<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">AS DECIDED IN COURSE OF THE ATHENS MEETING, THE NEWS BULLETIN ISSUED FROM OUR CZECH FRIENDS HAS NOW BECOME THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF DDEV.<br />SINCE A FEW DAYS WE MAKE AVAILABLE THE DDEV NEWSLETTER IN ITALIAN TO OUR READERS, IN A PDF FILE THAT CAN BE DOWNLOADED AND PRINTED.<br />ALL OF US IN ATHENS, MILAN, PARIS AND PRAG ARE VERY PROUD FOR BEING THE FIRST EUROPEAN MOVEMENT FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY TO PUBLISH ITS JOURNAL IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.<br /><br />DEMOCRAZIA FEDERALE<br />FEDERICO TONINI</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-9717846659308907382009-09-03T15:08:00.000-07:002009-12-01T17:31:28.745-08:00SECOND DDEV MEETING, ATHENS OCTOBER 3IN THE FIRST MEETING IN PRAG THE FOUNDING MOVEMENTS HAVE DECIDED TO CONFEDERATE INTO ONE EUROPEAN WIDE MOVEMENT WITH THE NAME OF DDEV ( DIRECT DEMOCRACY EURO VISION ).<br />NOW THEY HAVE AGREED TO MEET AGAIN IN ATHENS, FOR THE WEEKEND OF 3/4 OCTOBER, TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE ORGANIZATION OF DDEV AND AGREE ON COMMON RULES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR ELECTIONS IN THEIR COUNTRIES, STARTING FROM JANUARY 2010.<br />THE DATE HAS BEEN CHOOSEN IN ORDER TO MEET THE GERMAN ACTIVISTS OF OMNIBUS FUR DEMOKRATIE, WHICH WILL BE IN ATHENS IN THE SAME DAYS.<br />IN THE NEXT POST DETAILS SHALL BE RELEASED ABOUT THE MEETING AGENDA.<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">FEDERICO TONINI</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-68712632487800356122009-03-30T15:57:00.000-07:002009-03-30T16:56:52.938-07:00Press Release from Prag Conference<span style="font-family:arial;">In the following the press-release issued at the Conference in Prag which marked the establishment of the European Coalition of Direct Democracy Movements.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The European Movement has been given he name of DDEV Direct Democracy Euro Vision.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Details on the Conference shall be given later on on this Blog.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">“DIRECT DEMOCRACY EURO – VISION”<br /><br />Website: </span><a href="http://www.theeuropeandemocrat.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.theeuropeandemocrat.blogspot.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">E-mails: </span><a href="mailto:geoko@otenet.gr"><span style="font-family:arial;">geoko@otenet.gr</span></a><br /><a href="mailto:jiri.polak@swipnet.se"><span style="font-family:arial;">jiri.polak@swipnet.se</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">tobuz@libero.it<br /><br />Prague, March 22, 2009<br /><br /><br /><strong>PRESS RELEASE</strong><br /><br />The discourses of the Conference held by direct Democracy Movements of Europe, that took place in the Czech Republic, which is appointed with the Presidency of the European Union, at the beginning of the vernal equinox, symbolizing the basic democratic principles of the equality of rights, the equality before the law and the equality of speech, were completed successfully today, establishing a Resolution for the foundation of a Political Action Network, at a European level, called:<br /><br />“Direct Democracy Euro – Vision”,<br /><br />which was given a relative logo for the purpose of its possible use in the upcoming European Parliament Elections of June 7, 2009.<br />Noteworthy is the decision to ask the European citizens, through a Pan – European Referendum, to decline the acceptance of new member – states within the European Union, until the integration of the existing ones is completed, excluding the future acceptance of Russia, which will take place after the direct establishment of a specific financial relationship between Russia and the European Union.<br />The people of Russia should also accept, through a Referendum, such a prospect and the “direct Democratic Euro – Vision” will undertake the initiative to broaden this idea and its perspectives in both sides soon.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Federico Tonini</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-11323315235023585562009-03-16T13:44:00.000-07:002009-03-16T13:48:45.942-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;">This is the press release regarding the coming event in Prague, where the DEV, the new European Direct Democracy Movement shall be founded.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">March 14, 2009</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">“DEMOCRATIC EURO-VISION”</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Press Release</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Subject: Conference in Prague held by the “Democratic Euro-Vision”andDirect Democratic Initiatives of Europe.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In most European countries, there are organisations and/or movements tryingto democratize their political systems by introducing elements of DirectDemocracy. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">To increase their efficiency, it is desirable to establish acoalition forming a common European movement, aiming at regular contacts bymeans of a blog, discussing common goals and strategy and supporting oneanother´ s efforts. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The “Democratic Euro-Vision” serves this purpose and invites all european national movements, initiatives and organizations, who accept certain common direct democracy principles, to join and give moral support to one another with efforts to democratize their respective countries, especially expressing our ideas through our participation in the coming EuropeanParliament elections of June 7, 2009. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In order to broaden and strengthen its aims, Democratic Euro-Vision is organizing a Conference, which will be held in Prague, on the 21st and 22nd of March 2009. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All european movements and organizations that serve direct Democracy values and principles are invited to attend. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The main purpose of the Conferenceshall be the founding of the European Direct Democracy Confederation, underthe name: “Democratic Euro-Vision”, organized by the national Movements taking part. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Other Movements from countries outside Europe or individuals notrepresenting a Movement are invited to attend as observers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">INFO:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> <a href="http://www.theeuropeandemocrat.blogspot.com/">www.theeuropeandemocrat.blogspot.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">geoko@otenet.gr ;</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">tobuz@libero.it ;</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">jiri.polak@swipnet.se</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-12840361393194723822009-01-22T16:01:00.000-08:002009-01-22T16:06:52.243-08:00WE ARE NOW FOUR !!<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">WHILE OTHER EUROPEAN MOVEMENTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN OUR GROUP, WE HAVE THE PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW ENTRY IN THE GROUP :</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">THE FRENCH RDD, RASSEMBLEMENT POUR LA DEMOCRATIR DIRECTE, HAS NOW ANNOUNCED OFFICIALLY IN A MEETING HELD IN PARIS WITH DEMOCRAZIA FEDERALE THEY WILL BE PART OF THE NEW COALITION.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">A DELEGATION FROM RDD WILL THEN TAKE PART IN THE PRAG CONGRESS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH FOR ESTABLISHING THE NEW EUROPEAN MOVEMENT.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">AT THIS TIME THEN THE FOLLOWING NATIONS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE COALITION : CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GREECE, ITALY.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">FEDERICO TONINI</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-75903208819194071162009-01-05T17:27:00.000-08:002009-01-05T17:35:48.095-08:00Meeting in Sweden<span style="font-family:arial;">A meeting was held in Sweden on December 30, 2008 when Democrazia Federale from Italy met mr. Jiri Polak, editor of the Direct Democracy Newsletter and a leading person in the international Direct Democracy movement.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In the following a summarized report about the issues discussed in course of the meeting.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Sandby, Dec 30 2008<br /><br />Meeting between Democrazia Federale and Mr Jiri Polak <br /><br />The meeting was called for the purpose of organizing steps and events required for starting the project of a European Confederation of DD Movements.<br />The following issues have been discussed :<br /><br />1 – DD Movements<br /><br />All European Movements approving our DD Charter as published in our Blog are entitled to take part into the Confederation.<br />The above is the only necessary condition to enter the Confederation, while the practical steps of organization and methods to reach the common objective can be different from one country to another.<br /><br />2 – Newsletter<br /><br />The Newsletter published in Prag by Jiri Polak is a precious resource for our projects.<br />It has been agreed that, starting with the next March issue, the following changes will be implemented<br /><br />The Newsletter will be organized into a European section, serving as official journal for the Confederation, and an International section reporting news from DD movements around the world outside Europe.<br />The newsletter will be translated into the main European languages to reach a satisfactory diffusion over the whole territory of the Union.<br /><br />3 – Conference in Prag<br /><br />The date has been restricted to the choice between March 14 and March 21.<br />The main purpose of the Conference shall be the founding of the European DD Confederation, organized by the national Movements taking part.<br />Other Movements from countries outside Europe, or individuals not representing a Movement are invited to attend as observers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Federico Tonini</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-89640180506851818212008-11-12T08:30:00.000-08:002008-11-12T09:08:42.541-08:00CharterDemocratic Euro-Vision<br />Draft of a Charter<br />In most European countries, there are organisations and/or movements trying to democratize their political systems by introducing elements of Direct Democracy. To increase their efficiency, it is desirable to establish a coalition forming a common European movement, aiming at regular contacts by means of a blog, discussing common goals and strategy, and supporting one another´s efforts. This step is necessary for taking part in future European elections. For this purpose, the following definitions should be agreed upon:<br />1. Direct Democracy<br />2. People´s Interest and People´s Will<br />3. Relationship between People Power and Executive Power<br />4. Rules of the Charter<br />Direct Democracy<br />This term should be applied not only to the Citizen Initiative and Referendum, but also to various types of Public Deliberation (Planning Cells and Citizen Juries), the promotion of Citizens´ Constitutions, proposals of alternative political systems, and methods of electronic voing.<br />People´s Interest and People´s Will<br />The People´s Will, coming from the People´s Interest, is the line defined by the majority of the citizens; it can be looked on as the National Interest, if we consider the Nation as the assembly of citizens, looking at the relationship both ways: the Citizens form the Nation, and the Nation cares for the Citizens.<br />All too often in the past, the National Interest, as defined above, has been bent in favour of other interests: individuals and lobbies have had their own interests prevail over the Citizens´ Will.<br />Relationship between People Power and Executive Power<br />The People Power (legislation) is superior to the Executive Power. Decisions made by elected representatives on all levels can be abolished or altered by methods of Direct Democracy, incorporated in the system. The Executive Power must be non-partisan; it should only implement decisions made by the Legislative Power<br />Rules of the Charter<br />To become member of the proposed Coalition, the organisation or movement in question must formally declare that it accepts the principles expressed in the Charter.<br />The basic principle is the following:<br />In a Democracy, the Constitution on which the political system is based, must be agreed upon and adopted by the majority of citizens in a national referendum without any interference on the part of political parties. As long as this has not happened, the respective Constitution cannot be considered as democratic and legitimate. It must be considered as provisional only and susceptible of amendments made directly by the Citizens.<br />(Comment: the wording "the citizens have to learn thinking as a Nation, not as individuals" looks like a nationalistic propaganda, now discredited. It is a fact that each individual pursues what he/she considers as his/her individual interest. The important point is to make them understand that their individual interests coincide with the interests of the Nation, i.e. Society as a whole, rather than with the interests of a category or group upon which party politics is based.)DD-activisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316879860519599102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-35352372563000563462008-10-25T00:41:00.000-07:002008-10-25T00:56:03.935-07:00ConstitutionDear Fred, my attempts to comment fail. The machine says "incorrect password". But the password works for independent blogs, hopefully for this one too. I just want to express agreement with what you have written. I believe all dherents to Eurovision should adopt the principle that a democratic Constitution has to be authorized by referendum. Otherwise the system it creates is not democratic and legitimate. If several organisations/groups agree publicly upon this principle, it would strengten all of them. We in Czech Republic are going to press charges against the Czech Parliament for having adopted a Constitution assuring their power monopoly without submitting it to a referendum. We want to gain publicity. Maybe other organisations might do the same thing. It would strengthen all of them. The wording of Citizen Constitutions would be up to the respective citizenry, but the procedure - amendment of existing non-democratic constitutions directly by the citizens - should be the same in all countries. I believe this concrete principle shoud be part of the Charter.<br />JiriDD-activisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316879860519599102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-79309216536874751542008-10-23T04:27:00.000-07:002008-10-23T04:42:57.839-07:00Democratic Euro-visionI suggest that the Charter should begin as follows:<br />Democratic Euro-vision<br />Purpose: To establish and maintain a coalition of European groups and organisations who accept certain common principles and will give moral support to one another with efforts to democratize their respective countries. The only requirement for you to become a member of the coalition is to confirm that you adhere to the Charter.<br />(Definition of Direct Democracy. It should be stressed that, in some cases, citizen Deliberation (Planning Cells/citizen Juries) should be included in the referendum proces as well as in the legislation adopted by Representative Bodies.)<br />Comment: In this respect we would differ from the Swiss-German movement which wants to exclude deliberation and focuses on I&R alone. We believe that this is not sufficient and could discourage many people who maintain that decisions made by simple referenda might not be qualified. The inclusion of deliberation removes this objection. JiriDD-activisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316879860519599102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-8865420717505818712008-10-21T16:56:00.000-07:002008-10-21T17:23:10.253-07:00People interest and people will<span style="font-family:arial;">While we wait for comments coming from Athens about the definition of Direct Democracy...let's go forward and introduce the new question : how do we define people interest and people will.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I propose to your examination the following considerations :</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The people will, coming from the people interest, the line defined by the majority of the Citizens, can be looked at as the Nation interest if we consider the Nation as the assembly of all Citizens.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Therefore I consider the Nation interest as the condensed interest of the Citizens, looking at the relationship both ways : the Citizens form the Nation, and the Nation cares for the Citizens.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In other words, the Citizens have to learn thinking as a Nation, not as individuals.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All too often in the past the Nation interest, as defined above, has been bent in favour of other interests : individuals and lobbies have had their own interests prevail over the Citizens will.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here we have exposed the main difference between Representative Democracy and Direct Democracy, here we have come to the core of the matter.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now it's your turn, my friends</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Federico Tonini</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-45490815462250313542008-10-18T16:08:00.000-07:002008-10-18T16:10:11.060-07:00Direct Democracy<span style="font-family:arial;">Then let's try to find out a common definition of Direct Democracy.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">How about this _</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Direct Democracy is the political process by which any public administration executes directly, that is without the presence of so-called people representatives, the decisions assumed in a democratic way, that is by majority of votes,by those citizens who have jurisdiction on the said Administration.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Federico Tonini<br /></span><a title="comment permalink" href="http://theeuropeandemocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/charter-of-coalition.html?showComment=1224371160000#c1983223584418103598"><span style="font-family:arial;">18/10/08 4:06 PM</span></a>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-233320977072216402008-10-15T17:01:00.000-07:002008-10-15T17:28:27.038-07:00Charter of Coalition<span style="font-family:arial;">The main purpose of this Blog is to allow discussions among European Movements for Direct Democracy for the purpose of reaching an agreement and build up a Confederation so that, working together, they can create one common European Movement.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The above step is necessary to take part into future European elections, being understood that they will continue their political action in their own countries with their original denomination.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In order to accomplish the above work it appears necessary to agree on a common Charter, where the necessary pre-requisites of each Movement are listed in order to build up the desired Coalition on common grounds.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It is the common desire of the three founding members to reach such agreement in short times.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Therefore we propose that a list of prerequisites is defined as the content of the above Charter.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Once such agreement is reached, additional Movements willing to be associated into the Coalition must declare to accept the ideas and the rules of the Coalition.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We propose the following definitions are agreed :</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 - Direct Democracy</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2 - People interest and people will</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3 - Relationship between people power and executive power</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4 - Charter Rules</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We recommend that the above basic ideas be expressed in a complete albeit concise way, so that the writing of a Charter is completed in the shortest possible time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">On the above matter we wait for comments and proposals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Democrazia Federale</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Federico Tonini</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-56552602450011293432008-10-15T02:22:00.000-07:002008-10-15T02:31:47.642-07:00Citizens´ ConstitutionIn Czech Republic,<br />we have written and published the draft of a Citizens´ Constitution. We will try to enforce a referendum on it. An English summary was presented at a symposium held at the University of Wuppertal in honor of Prof. Peter Dienel. The professor (now deceased) was enthusiastic about it. I suggest that the summary be put at the disposal for the readers of this blog. This might inspire groups or organisations in other countries to do something similar there.<br />DD-activistDD-activisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316879860519599102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-20812516882490408782008-10-10T16:51:00.000-07:002008-10-10T17:02:23.176-07:00Matters to be discussed<span style="font-family:arial;">While our preparatory work continues, some questions emerge about a very important aspect of our action.<br />While it is clear our common objective, that is real Direct Democracy or a system where the people decisions or will is directly realized by executive public administrations, two main lines can be followed.<br /><br />The first one, we can call it bottom-up, says our action shall be the one that spreads our ideas among the citizens until our Movement can win the majority in public Administrations like Towns and larger ones.<br /><br />The second one, we can call it top-down, says we have to spread our ideas among the Citizens until we can modify the State Administration structure my means of a referendum.<br /><br />I hope I have clearly identified the two positions, and invite comments on the above, so that this first question can be considered cleared.<br />Federico Tonini</span>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816338146591817379.post-1787088195927885652008-10-04T16:57:00.000-07:002008-10-06T17:27:20.758-07:00Here we go<div><font face="verdana" size="2">The IRI Congress in Aarau has allowed a group of European movements working for Direct Democracy in Europe to make contacts and discuss their ideas.</font></div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2"></font> </div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2">Some of the Movements, while considering with great rispect the theoretical work of Universities and think-tanks in order to introduce elements of Direct Democracy within the existing Constitutions, do not believe this kind of work will grant any significant results in a realistic time, and want to start immediate political action taking part into coming European elections.</font></div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2"></font> </div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2">The Movements have decided to co-ordinate their action on the European scale, with the aim to create one only Movement active all over the Union.</font></div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2">The only purpose of this blog is to make available in English writings coming from the national blogs in other languages so that matters of general interest can be discussed within an extended circle.</font></div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2"></font> </div>
<br /><div><font face="verdana" size="2">Come back in short for further news.</font></div>
<br /><div><font face="Verdana" size="2">The EuroDemocrat</font></div>Authorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513714931435916609noreply@blogger.com1