Civil groups launch signature drive on 4 referendum questions

Budapest (MTI) – Civil groups officially launched their signature collection drive on Saturday in connection with four approved referendum questions which would “dismantle the government”.

The groups made their first call for 19 issues to be put to a referendum at anti-government demonstrations on March 15 this year. The referendum calls included issues of anti-corruption, economic, educational and social goals, as well as calling for “genuine” asset declarations from politicians, the elimination of the state’s tobacco monopoly, opening up secret files on key state investments, and free motorways and bypasses.

The civil groups also support a separate referendum drive against retail closures on Sundays and another one calling for public and transparent public procurements.

Two questions were immediately approved in March, these concern returning the mandatory schooling age to 18 from 16 and scrapping mandatory memberships for all entrepreneurs in the Chamber of Commerce. Two further questions were approved later: one calling for free school meals for children in need and one for lawmakers who were past the retirement age not to receive pensions while they were working as MPs.