The Legal Significance of the Referendum

The referendum of March 4, 2007 will be an historical event in the life of Pécs. 

Section 5.§ of the law concerning local governments states that: „The rights of local governance refers to the community of local voters. Citizens with voting rights exercise their rights as a community through representatives elected to the local government body and through their participation in local referenda.” 

Through this referendum the citizens can take back their right to self-governance, in this very important issue, in order to prevent a radar station from being built on the Tubes. 

The referendum will be valid if more than 50% of the citizens with voting rights participate.  The law concerning local government states in section 48.§: „The result of the referendum is binding to the representative body.”

Therefore, if nearly 64,000 voting citizens of Pécs go to vote on March 4, and 32,001 vote „YES”, then the city government will be required to change the Building Code and Zoning Regulations of Pécs according to the will of the people.

The Ministry of Defense is also subject to the local Building Code in receiving its building permit!

This is supported by the Supreme Court decision 521/2203.  The Ministry of Defense may only act on a building permit in accordance with the law. 

All statements which contend that the result of this referendum will not be binding are not legally grounded, and are misinformation. 

People of Pécs, the decision is in our hands! 

Dr. Csilla Vicze

Civil Movement for the Mecsek