Finland's citizen initiative system has produced five formal proposals that failed to secure a single signature of support. The phenomenon highlights the quiet fate of ideas that never find a public audience, despite their proponents' passion. From mandatory bicycle bells to decriminalizing magic mushrooms, these zero-vote proposals offer a unique window into the democratic process.
The Dog Walk That Sparked an Idea
The idea for one citizen initiative began during a dog walk in Helsinki back in 2015. A cyclist whizzed silently past from behind, startling both the dog and its owner, Kari Ã…senbrygg. He went online and launched an initiative titled 'Use of a bicycle bell when approaching a pet walker from behind.' A friend of Ã…senbrygg's stepped in as the reserve representative for the proposal.
Over a decade later, Ã…senbrygg reflects on why his initiative only ever gathered one supporter. 'I believe the level of support was because, at that time, e-bikes had not yet become common,' Ã…senbrygg ponders. He also suspects his reserve representative, an avid cyclist who agreed with the proposal, didn't sign because he thought being named as the reserve was enough.
Ã…senbrygg says passing situations have changed in ten years. After speaking with other dog owners, he believes he will soon launch a new citizen initiative on the same topic. 'If people understood to ring their bicycle bell before passing, it would be such a great thing,' he says. Under Finnish vehicle law, a sound-making device is mandatory equipment on a bicycle, and notifying others early when passing is the cyclist's responsibility.
A Catalogue of Unsupported Ideas
The citizen initiative service hosts six proposals with just one supporter each, alongside the five with none. This number is marginal compared to the total of 1,773 initiatives drafted since the system's inception. Yet, even initiatives with minimal support represent a broad spectrum of Finnish public sentiment.
One proposal sought to have scabies medication covered by Finland's Social Insurance Institution (Kela). This initiative had five responsible persons but zero supporting signatures. Another initiative aimed to repeal a 2017 regulation permitting spring fishing in the Tornionjoki estuary and other sea areas in the Gulf of Bothnia. The proposer argued this would allow for a more vibrant salmon stock in the Tornio River. Despite also having a reserve representative, this proposal garnered no support. The proposer declined to comment on the initiative or their current views on the citizen's initiative process.
The list of zero-signature initiatives also includes 'Drunk driving should lead directly to a lifetime driving ban!', 'Magic mushrooms should be decriminalized', and a proposal concerning changes to Swedish language studies.
How the Initiative System Functions
For a citizen's initiative to be considered by the Finnish Parliament, the Eduskunta, it must gather 50,000 signatures of support from eligible voters within six months. This threshold is designed to filter ideas that have a demonstrable level of public backing. The process is entirely digital through a dedicated government service, lowering the barrier to entry for proposal creators.
Once an initiative reaches the signature threshold, it is presented to Parliament. The relevant parliamentary committee then prepares a report on the initiative, after which the full Parliament decides whether to adopt the proposal as law or reject it. The process ensures that even if an initiative is popular, it still undergoes rigorous legislative scrutiny.
Why Some Proposals Find No Backing
The reasons an initiative fails to attract signatures are varied. Some ideas, like the bicycle bell proposal, may be seen as too niche or addressing a problem the broader public does not prioritize. Others may be technically flawed or perceived as already covered by existing laws and regulations.
The timing of a proposal is also critical. An idea launched before its time, or after public interest in an issue has peaked, may struggle to gain traction. The proposer's own network and ability to promote the initiative through media or social channels plays a significant role in its initial momentum.
The existence of zero-signature initiatives is an inherent feature of an open system. It demonstrates that the tool is truly accessible, allowing any citizen to attempt to launch a legislative proposal, regardless of its eventual popularity. The low barrier to entry means the marketplace of ideas is open, but the 50,000-signature requirement acts as a quality filter before parliamentary time is invested.
The Future of Public Proposal Power
The citizen's initiative remains a powerful tool for direct democracy in Finland. While the handful of proposals with zero signatures represent the extreme end of the spectrum, they are a testament to the system's openness. Every successful law that began as a citizen's initiative, like the landmark same-sex marriage law, started with a single idea and a single proposer.
For proponents like Kari Ã…senbrygg, the lack of support for a first attempt is not necessarily an endpoint. It can be a learning experience, leading to a refined proposal launched at a more opportune moment. The digital ledger of failed initiatives serves as a quiet archive of public concerns that, for a multitude of reasons, did not resonate widely enough to advance. It underscores a fundamental truth of participatory democracy: having the right to propose is not the same as convincing others to follow.