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Mehr Demokratie e.V. is an organization that advocates for more direct democracy in Germany. It provides nationwide consultation for initiatives that want to launch a people’s or citizens’ petition, and it also sends out materials and offers a variety of papers for download [source: mehr-demokratie]. The organization works to achieve a fairly regulated direct democracy at all political levels, and it informs, starts campaigns, and convinces parliaments and politicians [source: mehr-demokratie]. It does not receive any state funding [source: mehr-demokratie].
The organization publishes reports and commentary on direct democratic processes. For example, its “Volksbegehrensbericht 2026” notes that citizens in Germany intervene in state politics via direct democracy every 16 weeks, starting an average of 11.4 popular initiatives per year [source: mehr-demokratie]. It also comments on specific cases, such as the Brexit, which it describes as a non-binding popular consultation set from above by Prime Minister Cameron to secure his power [source: mehr-demokratie]. In Hamburg, Mehr Demokratie praised the exemplary referendum, including the voting booklet and automatic sending of documents to all, while criticizing resource asymmetry [source: mehr-demokratie].
The organization also highlights innovative participation models. In Flensburg, as the first municipality in Schleswig-Holstein, a citizens’ council with a subsequent citizens’ decision was conducted, and on May 30, 2026, the lottery assembly issued 29 recommendations on the future of mobility [source: mehr-demokratie]. Additionally, Mehr Demokratie offers events like “Sprechen & Zuhören” (Speaking & Listening), held online every first Wednesday of the month [source: mehr-demokratie]. Its board spokesperson Claudine Nierth was awarded the BAUM Environmental and Sustainability Prize 2026 for her outstanding commitment [source: mehr-demokratie].
The organization also publishes essays and reflections on sovereignty. Ralf-Uwe Beck from Mehr Demokratie explores what it means to be truly sovereign in a passionate essay titled “Souverän – Plädoyer für mehr direkte Demokratie” [source: mehr-demokratie]. The organization views the crisis of politics as a potential opportunity and works on the further development of citizen participation through its Bildungswerk Mehr Demokratie [source: mehr-demokratie].
Use it for
A campaigner can use Mehr Demokratie e.V. as a source of expertise and practical support for launching or analyzing direct democratic initiatives. The organization offers consultation for groups starting people’s or citizens’ petitions, provides materials and downloadable papers, and runs campaigns to convince parliaments and politicians [source: mehr-demokratie]. Its reports, such as the “Volksbegehrensbericht 2026,” provide statistical data on the frequency of popular initiatives in Germany, which can be used to argue for the relevance and impact of direct democracy [source: mehr-demokratie].
Additionally, campaigners can draw on the organization’s commentary on specific cases, like the Brexit or Hamburg’s referendum, to illustrate both the potential and the pitfalls of direct democratic processes [source: mehr-demokratie]. The example of Flensburg’s citizens’ council with a subsequent citizens’ decision offers a model for combining deliberative and direct democracy at the local level [source: mehr-demokratie]. The organization’s events, such as “Sprechen & Zuhören,” also provide opportunities for campaigners to engage in dialogue and build support for their causes [source: mehr-demokratie].
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