In Bavaria, there has been a referendum since 1995.
In Wallgau, this grassroots democratic instrument has not yet been needed.
That could change soon.
With immediate effect, signature lists of the initiative supporting the construction of a photovoltaic free-field system are available.
Wallgau
– Now things are finally moving: Wallgau is taking big steps towards its first referendum.
Then the population will have to state their colors as to whether or not they want a photovoltaic system on an area of the Achner gravel works.
But until then, the initiators Karl-Otto Schmid, Professor Arnd Hartlieb, Karl-Ludwig Dilfer, Nico Hebler, Christina Zahler and Josef Schandl have to collect signatures so that a decision can be made from the request.
For Karl-Otto Schmid, there is more at stake - namely the implementation of the energy transition that has been much praised throughout Germany.
"And the Wallgauer should decide that himself."
Last year, the municipal council said no to the solar energy plans of the project developers at Vispiron EPC GmbH & Co. KG by a vote of 8:5.
Schmid and Co think it's absurd. That's why they're drumming for the photovoltaic ground-mounted system.
Since Thursday, signature lists have been available in various shops and establishments (see appendix).
The text asks the citizens the following:
"Are you in favor of the municipality of Wallgau creating all the necessary conditions so that the photovoltaic open-space system Wallgau can be built?" In order for a referendum to take place at all, around 110 of the 1100 Wallgau residents who are entitled to vote must give their placet.
That is the legally required quorum of ten percent.
Should there actually be a referendum, it should take place at the same time as the state elections on October 8th.
Schmid's offensive was hotly debated in the village beforehand.
The local farmers in particular are critical of such a system because it means more land consumption for them.
Not least because of this, Mayor Bastian Eiter is reluctant to make an assessment.
"I stay out of the discussion." He wisely prefers to be the moderator.
The signature lists
for the citizens' initiative "Photovoltaic open-space system" are now included in Wallgau in the town hall, in the Diener practice, in the Schwemmer practice, in the Fischer pharmacy, in the Raiffeisen bank, in the Raiffeisen warehouse, in the Achner gas station, in the Café Alpenblick drinks at Schuhwerk, at Auto-Motorrad Holzer and in the hairdresser's shop Möhrlein