[LINK] Iceland crowdsourced constitution'

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Iceland judges ‘crowdsourced constitution'

From: AAP October 21, 2012 <http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-
news/iceland-judges-crowdsourced-constitution/story-e6frf7k6-
1226500027097>


ICELANDERS have voted in a referendum on a new basic law which was 
drafted by 25 ordinary citizens and includes proposals made on Twitter 
and Facebook for what has been dubbed the world's first "crowdsourced 
constitution".

In the consultative referendum, voters are to answer six questions on 
topics such as the role of the country's natural resources and of the 
national church with a simple yes or no.

The six questions were chosen by a committee of 25 ordinary citizens 
elected in 2010 to review the country's constitution. 

They in turn took to the internet to solicit the views of their fellow 
Icelanders.

The draft legislation for a new constitution was submitted to the 
country's parliament, the Althing, at the end of July 2011.

In May this year it was decided to seek the opinion of the island's 
inhabitants on six issues.

The country's basic law dates back to Iceland's independence from Denmark 
in 1944 and it has long been accepted that it needs revision.

Demands that any new constitution be drawn up by ordinary citizens 
surfaced in the wake of Iceland's financial collapse in 2008, which 
provoked huge social movements in the country.

"The proposals of the constitutional committee .. are major improvements 
in the form of he country's government," Prime Minister Johanna 
Sigurdardottir told the Althing on Thursday. "Should we make these 
proposals the basis of a new constitution? My answer is 'yes'", she said.

The opposition is calling for a 'no' vote. The Independence party, in 
power for much of the last century thinks the plan needs more detailed 
examination. "It's up to the elected parliament to take matters in hand," 
the party's vice-president Olof Nordal told state television.
--

Cheers,
Stephen


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