Abstract:
The mechanism by which representative democracy turns into direct democracy is the referendum. In other words, voters may be called upon to approve orreject certainlaws or changes to them instead of fully entrusting the right to pass laws to a legislative body. By referendum, the electoral body is called to decide on issues of national interest (choice of the form of government, problems of self-determination as a state etc.). The convocation may be made by the Head of State, the Legislature Authority, Government, or other subjects prescribed by law. Depending on the subject, referendums can be:constitutional, legislative, international, administrative, of moral issues. We would like to analyze the type of referendums on moral issues and to distinguish some controversial issues that could possibly be raised through referendums in the Republic of Moldova, as for instance the fundamental obligation of all citizens from birth to vote, legalization of euthanasia, and prohibitionofabortion.