Based upon the database on local PoDD in Germany (documents on usage patterns and public opinion forming since 1990s this paper explores the relationships with mechanisms of representation while the usage of referenda increased. While being rarely used in smaller municipalities, PoDD have become a standard routines in parliamentary and executive decision making in some larger cities. The paper asks, whether local initiatives and referendums have been a trigger for significant change in local political culture. To answer this question aggregate data of usage and success patterns are compared according to institutional design and social economic data in a first quantitative step. The second qualitative step focuses on the effects on local elites like mayor, parties, parliament or media. A content analysis explores, whether local elites have developed a more reciprocal, transparent way to react to local referenda or not.
