Published on: 15/02/2011
This is a follow-up to the entry about the Berlin Water Utility referendum posted on 2nd February 2011.
Berlin’s referendum on February 13th has successfully passed a law demanding the disclosure of all contracts documenting the partial privatization of the Berlin Water Works. Despite the low budget of the initiators, the Berlin Water Table, and public silence around the elections, enough citizens were mobilized to vote. 25% of Berlin’s voters had to turn up to render the referendum valid. In total 665,000 Berliners went to the polling station, which was 27% of the total voters. 98% voted in favour of the proposed law.
Although the outcome of the referendum surprised all parties, and spread a clear sign for more transparency on public goods, it is unclear what the new law will bring about. The Berlin Senate denies the accusation of the Berlin Water Table and asserts that all documents have already been disclosed. The success of the referendum might motivate the Berlin Water Table to go to the city-state’s constitutional court and demand for the withdrawal of undisclosed contracts as is stated in the admitted law.
