Volksbefragung#
Volksbefragung (Referendum): Questions that are basically of national relevance and are within the competence of the federal legislator are subject to referendum; elections and matters that are decided by courts and administrative authorities are excluded. A referendum has no legally binding force. Several provincial constitutions also provide for participation of the citizens of the province in the legislative process by means of a referendum. Unlike other forms of direct democracy ( Volksabstimmung, Volksbegehren), a referendum has little legal or political importance.