Advisory referendum

The outcome of the referendum which the Althingi has now called will be of advisory value, in contrast to the situation in the referendums on the Icesave issue in 2010 and 2011. It will seek to establish the nation’s views on whether the Althingi should base draft legislation on a new Constitution on the proposals by the Constitutional Council, and also its attitudes towards five particular points in the proposals. Thus, the outcome of the referendum cannot give the proposals the force of law and is not legally binding on the Althingi, which will have to comply with the provisions of the present Constitution if the amendments are to become valid. However, the referendum can give an indication of the will of the electorate regarding how the draft legislation on a new Constitution is handled by the Althingi. As is stated above, for a question that is put to a referendum to be considered approved, it must receive a majority of the valid votes cast in the referendum.

On three previous occasions the Althingi has decided to hold advisory referendums on specific matters: on the prohibition on alcohol imports in 1908, on a national service obligation for men in 1916 and on the lifting of the prohibition on alcohol in 1933. The turnout was highest (71.5%) in 1908 and lowest (45.3%) in 1933. In all cases, the will of the majority of participating voters was complied with.