The right to direct political participation. The popular initiative, reality and possibilities ; El derecho a la participación política directa. La iniciativa popular, realidad y posibilidades

Abstract

The main aim of this study is the analysis of the normative reality and the possibilities of development of a popular initiative in Spain. Its insufficient reception in the Constitution, solely as a popular legislative initiative stricto sensu (art. 87 CE) and subject to important procedural and material limitations, lies within the framework of a constitutional normative which is suspicious and reluctant to the direct participation of citizens in politics. Its legal regulation, far from establishing an expansive development, designs a procedure that further limits its possibilities. De lege ferenda, substantial modifications in the established procedure are proposed; but if the intention is to progress towards a real participatory democracy, a reform of the Constitution must be defended; one that unties the bonds with which the Spanish constituent of 1978, for historical reasons, attempted to restrain the direct participation of citizens. ; [Primer premio. Premios de artículos jurídicos «GARCÍA GOYENA» (Curso 2014-2015)]El objeto central del estudio es el análisis de la realidad normativa y de las posibilidades de desarrollo de la iniciativa popular en España. La insuficiente recepción constitucional de la misma, sólo como iniciativa legislativa popular stricto sensu (art. 87.3 CE) y sometida a importantes límites procedimentales y materiales, se inscribe en el marco de una normación constitucional reticente y desconfiada ante la participación directa de los ciudadanos en la política. Su regulación legal, lejos de realizar un desarrollo expansivo, configura un procedimiento que limita todavía más sus posibilidades. De lege ferenda, se proponen modificaciones sustanciales en el procedimiento establecido; pero, si la intención es avanzar hacia una democracia realmente participativa, hay que defender una reforma de la Constitución que desate los lazos con los que el constituyente español de 1978, por razones históricas, quiso sujetar la participación directa de los ciudadanos.The main aim of this study is the analysis of the normative reality and the possibilities of development of a popular initiative in Spain. Its insufficient reception in the Constitution, solely as a popular legislative initiative stricto sensu (art. 87 CE) and subject to important procedural and material limitations, lies within the framework of a constitutional normative which is suspicious and reluctant to the direct participation of citizens in politics. Its legal regulation, far from establishing an expansive development, designs a procedure that further limits its possibilities. De lege ferenda, substantial modifications in the established procedure are proposed; but if the intention is to progress towards a real participatory democracy, a reform of the Constitution must be defended; one that unties the bonds with which the Spanish constituent of 1978, for historical reasons, attempted to restrain the direct participation of citizens.