Citizens' initiative

Anyone can put an item on the agenda of the House of representatives by means of a citizens' initiative. A citizens' initiative is a detailed proposal, for instance to improve the environment, the educational system or public transport. It contains a request to the House of Representatives to examine the proposal and to take a stand on it. A citizens' initiative is explicitly a new proposal and not a reaction to legislation already dealt with or due to be dealt with by the House.

The citizens' initiative is one of the most direct ways to make one's ideas on how to improve society known to MPs. The committee on Petitions and Citizen's Initiatives examines all submitted proposals and assesses whether the requirements have been met.