Bild: Referendum in der Wiege der Demokratie,  Juli 2015
Referendum in der Wiege der Demokratie, Foto: socialistworkeronline.net, 4.7.15

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Why do you have to vote on "Our New Europe"?

 

If you vote on Our New Europe, if you motivate your friends and if many citizens throughout Europe do the same, you can set the impetus for a new, more democratic Europe. - Europe's future is in your hands!

 

 

2. Do you have a right to vote on "Our New Europe"?

 

All residents of the 51 participating European countries from Reykjavik to Vladivostok are entitled to vote on "Our New Europe"! - This includes not only all EU countries but also all European non EU countries.

 


 

3. Do you have to answer all the questions of the questionnaire?

 

No! - You are completely free to participate and to answer only the questions you would like to answer. You have a right to vote, but no obligation at all to do so! - You have to answer at least one question only of the questionnaire.

 

 

4. What personal data are required from you?


Your ballot (questionnaire) only requires the name of the country in which you live as a personal information. - If you  sign the "Petition for a Europe close to its citizens", you also have to enter your surname, first name, place of residence as well as your e-mail address.

 


 

5. How are your personal data and answers handled?

 

Your answers will be counted and the summarized results published, aggregated by country, but not personalized (Results online - tables). Your personal data will not be disclosed. "Our New Europe" however publishes the "Petition for a Europe close to its citizens" incl. all signatures (last and first name, city). 

 

 

6. What are the implications if you sign the Petition?

 

The petition asks for the creation of a democratic, subsidiary, flexible and diverse Europe, close to its citizens, which you support with your signature. - This will however not have any legal obligations. The results are published in real time as rankings of the participating of countries (No. of signatures by country). 


  

7. What are the objectives of "Our New Europe"?

 

The main objective is a high turnout in all 51 participating European countries, i.e. many millions of votes! To achieve this, your vote and your campgaign are required to motivate your friends and acquaintances to participate as well (snowball effect).

 

   

9. What is the significance of  EU+, EU- and EU*?

 

The 3 scenarios EU+, EU- and EU* correspond with the main views on Europe's future: EU expansion - USE; EU dismantling - national independence; EU transformation by the citizens. - You are invited to choose the scenario that most closely matches your opinion.

 

 

8. "Democracy", "Subsidiarity", "Federalism"? 

 

These terms can be understood in very different ways. - "Our New Europe" essentially uses the definitions commonly used in Switzerland (e.g. confederal = decentralized, subsidiary, bottom-up; while abroad federal/ federalist usually means centralized top-down).

 

   

10. Legal significance of "Our New Europe"?

 
The online referendum "Our New Europe" has no legal significance. Politically, it is striving for a more democratic Europe and the fast realization of the European peace project through the participation of many millions of empowered citizens throughout Europe!



 

11. Is "Our New Europe" neutral vis-à-vis the European Union?

 

With its 3 scenarios EU+, EU- and EU*, "Our New Europe" covers practically the entire spectrum of prevailing opinions on the EU: "Business as usual"/USE - National independence - and a new, more democratic, diverse Europe of the citizens, with and for the citizens.

 

EU supporters and all "Brussels" have always campaigned for EU+, EU opponents and anti-EU parties for EU-. But no powerful political parties and lobbies have ever campaigned for the Europe of its citizens, who want to decide themselves all major issues at the European level by means of referenda!

 

 

"Our New Europe" gives for the first time to all Europeans throughout Europe - no matter how they feel about the EU - the possibility to express their opinion on Europe's future - especially on the all-important question: "What kind of Europe do you want?" - But also on all existential questions threatening the future of humanity (wars, climate, refugees, pandemics,...)! 

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