Czech government to debate system for nationwide referendums

The Czech government will discuss a proposal to introduce nationwide referendums on Monday, Nov. 9, alongside legislation expanding powers to stop drones over critical infrastructure.

The proposed constitutional law would allow citizens to initiate a national vote by collecting 300,000 signatures. Parliament could also propose a referendum with the approval of both chambers.

However, the legislation explicitly excludes votes on Czechia’s membership in the European Union or NATO, changes to the constitutional order, and matters concerning national defense and security.

Under the proposal put forward by ANO, SPD and the Motorists, a referendum result would be binding if the winning option received support from at least 35 percent of all eligible voters. That threshold concerns the share of the eligible electorate supporting the outcome, rather than turnout alone.

A referendum on the same matter could not be proposed again until five years after the previous result was announced.

The government pledged to introduce nationwide referendums in its policy statement, arguing that citizens should be able to decide directly on key questions of public interest.

Passing the legislation would require support beyond the governing coalition.

As a constitutional law, it needs approval from three-fifths of all members of the Chamber of Deputies—120 votes—and three-fifths of senators present. The coalition holds 107 lower-house seats, leaving it at least 13 votes short without opposition backing.

Monday’s cabinet discussion is a step in considering the proposal; it would not itself introduce the referendum system.

Ministers will also consider allowing operators of critical infrastructure to intervene against unauthorized drones over protected sites.

Under specified conditions, operators could prevent a drone from continuing its flight and, as a last resort, destroy it. Police and soldiers currently have powers to eliminate unmanned aircraft, but their response times are constrained by the number of sites requiring protection.

The Transport Ministry has previously identified international airports, energy hubs and nuclear power plants as examples of facilities covered by the proposal. The legislation would also clarify police powers during anti-drone operations.

Separately, the cabinet will discuss extending the country’s existing terrorism threat level B, which denotes a mild threat. Its current designation covers the whole of 2026.

Another bill on the agenda would adapt Czech law to the EU’s AI Act, including its framework for trustworthy artificial intelligence, protection against harmful systems and support for innovation.

Ministers will also consider employment-law changes linking support for employing people with disabilities to 85 percent of the minimum wage, allowing it to rise automatically alongside that wage.

The coalition council is scheduled to meet Monday evening. Its discussions are expected to include unemployment support, charges for certain services in retirement homes, and the proposed abolition of Czech Television and Czech Radio fees.