Icelanders support revising constitution, crowdsourced via Facebook and Twitter
Herald Sun -
A MAJORITY of Icelanders have voted in favour of revising the country’s constitution, preliminary results of a referendum show.
Some 66 per cent have supported the draft constitution with about 88,000 votes counted.
Turnout in Saturday’s vote was estimated at 50 per cent of the almost 237,000 eligible voters, public broadcaster RUV reported.
Voters were asked to answer each of six questions put forward by a constitutional committee of 25 ordinary citizens with a yes or a no.
The committee asked the public for feedback on constitutional proposals, including via social networking websites Facebook and Twitter, prompting the media to dub the new basic law as the world’s first “crowdsourced constitution”.
Icelanders also voted for making the island’s natural resources public property and in favour of allowing the Evangelical Lutheran Church to retain its role as state church.
The council presented its draft to parliament in July 2011.
The process to draft a new constitution began after the country’s 2008 financial meltdown prompted calls for reforms.
Read More: heraldsun.com.au
A message from iceland-
I send greetings and news from Iceland. Four years ago, 11 October 008, we here in Iceland started to protest the situation that prevailed here when our banks crashed. But we were immediately told by authorities to stay calm and not to interfere in matters we did not understand. The Government told us they would deal with this issue and everything was under good control. We had been told for many years that we were one of the richest nations in the world but suddenly we were facing bankruptcy.
We, the people, did not believe the politicians. We started protesting and making demands and explanations.
In these past 4 years, we have almost been in constant shock gradually coming to realize how enormous corruption, lies and deception and theft has been going on in this country for decades. Our wealth being systematically stolen and we left in huge debts.
For months we stood and protested peacefully and systematically with reasons and heavy pressure on politicians. Our requirements were three: 1 The government’s resignation. 2. The resignation of the board of the National bank.. 3. The resignation of board of the Money Supervisory Authority. Our underlying claim was that we would get a new constitution in the near future. In February 2009 all three requirements had been met. We got a new government and we the protesters kept the claim of a new constitution alive.
Last Saturday, 21 October 2012, we finally had a referendum on the proposal of the new constitution. Here are two articles on the results.
Just so you know that it is possible to change society, it only takes time, endurance, solidarity, planning, informations, experience, and systematic peaceful demonstrations!
Let’s share and care.
Good luck.
Hörður Torfason
2012-10-25 09:20:33
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