Calling referendums on domestic policies: how political elites and citizens differ

Abstract Most national level referendums in Europe since 1793 are initiated either by political elites or citizens. It remains unclear why these two types of initiators call for referendums. This article aims to explain under what circumstances and citizens on domestic policies. The analysis is conducted at country using an original data set that covers 461 between 2019. tests the influence four institutional variables theory expected have a divergent effect initiators. experience with direct democracy increases likelihood called reduces incidence citizen-initiated More authoritarian countries longer time passed from neighboring initiate Coalition governments more prone policies compared single-party governments.