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Direct democracy is as attractive as ever in Switzerland, with 23 nationwide people’s initiatives launched in 2011, a record number.

The initiative is a core component of Switzerland’s political system. It is a way of enabling any citizen to propose new legislation, although in practice it is a tool used by political parties and interest groups.

For an initiative to be put to the vote at federal level its supporters have 18 months to collect at least 100,000 signatures from citizens with the right to vote.

Six launched in 2010 are still circulating, seeking the requisite number of signatures before their deadline expires.

In theory, an initiative can only deal with constitutional matters, but in practice they are being used more and more to set the policy agenda – and are becoming more and more frequent.

Andreas Auer, director of the Aarau-based Centre for Direct Democracy told swissinfo.ch earlier this year that one reason for the increase was the “radicalisation of political discourse”, particularly at the extreme ends of the political spectrum.

And Aline Trede of the Green Party explained that simply putting forward an initiative got people talking about issues, which in turn could prompt action by the government or parliament, even if the initiative itself failed.

read more on SWISSINFO:http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/internal_affairs/The_Swiss_have_a_vote_for_it.html?cid=31851270

People’s InitiativesAny Swiss citizen or organisation can put forward a proposal to amend the constitution, but it takes a long time to get this so-called people’s initiative to the ballot box.

If supporters can collect and hand in to the Federal Chancellery at least 100,000 signatures in favour of the amendment within 18 months, it must be put to a nationwide vote.

The cabinet then discusses the initiative and within one year must agree on a united position and a detailed message to present to parliament on the issue.

Parliament then discusses the initiative and recommends to the people and to the cantons whether it should be adopted or rejected.

A people’s initiative needs a majority of the popular vote as well as the backing of a majority of the country’s 26 cantons to become law.

The Swiss system of direct democracy distinguishes between initiatives and referenda.

Referenda are used to challenge laws which have already been passed by parliament.

Anyone wanting to call a referendum must collect at least 50,000 signatures within 100 days of the law being published.

Unlike a people’s initiative, a referendum needs only a majority of popular votes.