Why boycott can seem attractive
For some citizens, boycott expresses a refusal to recognize or legitimize the process. This may feel like a morally or politically strong stance, especially where trust is low.
The practical weakness of boycott
In a referendum, boycott usually does not translate into a direct substantive position. It does not clearly show:
- which norm you oppose
- whether you reject the whole project
- what alternative you support
Why participation has more direct effect
Participation allows a citizen to:
- vote in favor
- vote against
- influence the numerical result directly
- be counted in the official outcome
Boycott, by contrast, often affects the process only indirectly.
When boycott could have mattered
A boycott could have affected the legal validity of the vote only if final turnout had fallen below 50%. Actual turnout on March 15, 2026 was 73.12%, so the threshold was met.
Main idea
Boycott may be a political gesture, but voting is the clearest way to affect the formal result of a referendum.