The revised draft law has followed, totally or partially, most of the substantive recommendations of the previous urgent opinion, aimed at ensuring its conformity with international standards. This is a positive development which is welcomed. In particular:

- The different types of referendums have been defined more clearly.

- The extension of the right to vote in certain local referendums to owners of real estate has not been retained.

- The minimum deadline between the decision of calling a referendum and the vote has been extended.

- The composition of the electoral administration has been reconsidered – but just for the coming referendum on the amendment of the Constitution.

- The deadline for providing objective information to voters has been extended. The Venice Commission however recommends a further extension.

- The power to check the question submitted to voters has been given to the electoral commissions.

- Private media are not any more submitted to a requirement of neutrality, and all media are obliged to ensure equal advertising conditions to parties that advocate different answers to the question.

- Financing the costs of the referendums campaign with funds obtained from public sources received for financing regular work has been authorised.

- Public opinion research is not anymore included in the referendum campaign activities.

- The 24-hour complaint deadlines have been expanded to 48 hours.

- The rules concerning the collection of signatures for people’s initiatives are less restrictive.