Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf delivered a lecture to students and faculty staff at the Tirana European University – UET. It focused on how Switzerland practices direct democracy, referendums and political processes.

“Any citizen who takes the initiative and collects 100,000 signatures can try to change the constitution through a popular vote”, explained Ambassador Graf.

The lecture was followed by open questions from students and faculty. Issues such as gaps in Albania’s constitution and legislation were discussed by participants. In particular, the students noted that the laws on referendums in Albania have been drafted in a way that makes it almost impossible for independent citizens to undertake major referendum initiatives. On the other hand, they facilitate current decision-makers to continue to control the way referendums or civic initiatives are carried out.

Ambassador Graf mentioned that a very practical lesson that comes from Swiss experiences is that referendums must be made simple and explained well to the wider population.   

Asked whether referendums as done in Switzerland would be too costly for Albania, Ambassador Graf replied: “In Switzerland – but also in Albania - it is never a question of how much a referendum costs. The financial cost is not an issue; it is clear that if the people want it, it must be done”. He also added that there are no restrictions on what could be called for in a referendum and quoted examples from Switzerland where even the issue of having a national army could be brought in for a popular vote.

A full transcript and interview will be published later this week at newspaper MAPO. The open lecture was part of a series of lectures provided by Ambassador Graf with invitation by several educational institutions.