“No society can make a perpetual constitution or even a perpetual law…The constitution and the laws of their predecessors extinguished then in their natural course with those who gave them being”
Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Madison 6 Sept. 1789
Fifty years after the Carnage Revolution and forty-eight years since the approval of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, there have been few changes to the electoral system for the Assembly of the Republic. The electoral law for the Assembly seems like a “perpetual law”.
Reforming Electoral System: Renewing Democracy
Renewing democracy involves many aspects: improving the functioning of all institutions, particularly political parties, redesigning party financing and political foundations, creating better spaces for public debate, and, last but not least, reforming the electoral system.
The project “Reforming Electoral System: Renewing Democracy”, an initiative of the Institute of Public Policy, has a one-year timeframe and one goal: to improve the electoral system. Achieving this will depend on the support it receives from citizens.
At the start of the project, we had two key initiatives, the public launch of the Manifesto and collaborative financing, given that it is a non-financed project.
What will follow?
Gathering citizen input through focus groups and seminars, especially in the interior.
Forming partnerships with institutions and individuals who have proposed electoral system reforms or that are concerned with the quality of democracy.
Creating a dedicated website with scientific articles, FAQs and information on electoral systems to improve citizens’ literacy.
Organizing two technical workshops with experts to discuss two specific proposals for reform.
Engaging in dialogue with political actors to discuss the proposals.
Launching a Citizens’ Legislative Initiative in the Assembleia da República with a significant number of signatures.
What do we want to do?
We aim to promote real citizenship rights for all citizens across the national territory and improve the relationship between elected representatives and voters. Engaging with academics, civil society organizations, and political actors to reform the electoral law for the Assembly of the Republic, adapting it to a modern democracy, is crucial. A new law must be technically well-founded, requiring study and public debate, and politically accepted by key reform agents, with the pursuit of political consensus. We believe a citizen-led legislative initiative can be a significant contribution in this context.
How to support?
Donate
As a product of a nonprofit organization, this project had no funding at the time of its public launch (03/07/24) and relies solely on contributions from civil society. Be part of the change and support the initiative with your donation!
Please check the donation details below:
Individual Members
To register as an individual member of the Institute of Public Policy, simply send your name, Tax Identification Number (NIF to be included in the invoice), Organization (optional), phone number, proof of payment of the first annual membership fee (IBAN: PT50.0010.0000.4974.6470.0014.9), and a photograph to the email socios@ipp-jcs.org.
Currently the affiliation fees are:
- Normal fee: 30€ / year
- Reduced fee (students): 15€ /year
Disclaimer
By validating your registration, you accept the possibility of photographs being taken in the context of any event promoted by the Institute of Public Policy, as well as their dissemination for promotional purposes.
If you wish to obtain more information or have any questions, please contact us via email at info@ipp-jcs.org.
Institutional members
To sign-up your institution or company as an institutional member of the Institute of Public Policy-Lisbon, all you need to do is send us an email to socios@ipp-jcs.org with your name, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and phone number.
After this, for us to validate your membership, it is necessary to pay the first annual affiliation fee (IBAN: PT50.0010.0000.4974.6470.0014.9), sending us afterwards the receipt of transfer. Currently the affiliation fee is:
- Fee: 1,000€ /year
Donation
For a donation to the Institute of Public Policy-Lisbon, you only need to make a transfer to IBAN: PT50.0010.0000.4974.6470.0014.9, sending us afterwards the receipt, with your name and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to socios@ipp-jcs.org
Volunteer
Would you like to participate in the reform of the Portuguese electoral system? Contribute to research, volunteer in organizing workshops or public events, or present innovative and transformative ideas. If you can contribute in any way, please fill out the form by clicking the button below.
Initial Team
Paulo Trigo Pereira
Project coordinator
Sofia Serra da Silva
project co-coordinator
Pedro Pedrosa dos Santos
researcher
Tiago Ricardo
researcher
Rita Fonseca
communication
We would like to thank André Pereira (Content Support), João Artur Peral (Visual Identity), Taiga Trigo (Video Editing) and ISEG (video and institutional support). We hope to expand the initial team with the help of volunteers.