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Explore the key duties of Parliament in creating legislation, representing society, exercising control, and fostering communication. Understand the crucial roles of majority and opposition in policy-making.
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The Parliament – the Heart of Democracy:Role and Responsibility of the Parliamentary majority and opposition in policy making by Andreas Gross, Dr.h.c. (Switzerland) (Political Scientist/Director Atelier for Direct Democracy St-Ursanne, 24 years Swiss MP/ 2008-2016: Leader of the Social Democrats in the PACE Strasburg) Info@andigross.chwww.andigross.ch Presentation at the National Seminar org. by PACE & Verkhovna Rada Kiew, May 30st 2017
The 5 main duties and tasks of a Parliament • Creation/Election • Legislation • Representation • Control • Communication / Dialogue
I. Creation/Election • The Parliament (P) elects the Government (G) • 2/3 of the P may revise the Constitution • The P can deprive the G from it’s confidence (1/3 may ask for) • The P may elect other important bodies (Judges, Ombudsperson, adv. bodies etc.)
I. Creation/Electionlegitimacy • The Parliament (P) elects the Government (G) incl. at least some members of the opposition • 2/3 of the P may revise the Constitution in general impossible without Opp-MP’s • The P can deprive the G from it’s confidence (1/3 may ask for – an instrument of the Opp) • The P may elect other important bodies (Judges, Ombudsperson, adv. bodies etc.)no monopole of the majority
II. Legislation • In order to be valid each law has to find a majority in the Parliament • The Parliament’s committees discuss draft laws and may propose changes to the plenary of the Parliament • Each Member of the Parliament has the right to propose new legislation • The MP’s might question the implementation and the respect of any law by the Government
II. Legislation- inclusive - • In order to be valid each law has to find a majority in the Parliament (the more inclusive, the more legitemat) • The Parliament’s committees discuss draft laws and may propose changes to the plenary of the Parliament (All equal) • Each Member of the Parliament has the right to propose new legislation (All equal) • The MP’s might question the implementation and the respect of any law by the Government (special right of the opposition)
III. Represen- + Integration I. The MP’s should represent the society • It’s diversity (sociolog. composition) • It’s main different interests • It’s preoccupations, needs, sorrows II. Between the elections the Parliament represents the people’s sovereignty; • It’s the only source of legitimate power It shares the power fairly between each-other
III. Represen- + Integration(the whole society / impossible without opposition) • The MP’s should represent the society, only to be done with the opposition • It’s diversity (sociolog. composition) • It’s main different interests • It’s preoccupations, needs, sorrows II. Between the elections the Parliament represents the people’s sovereignty (including the opposition parties); • It’s the only source of legitimate power It shares the power fairly between each-other (the core of the need to integrate the opposition)
IV. Control • The P. is the Master of the State’s Budget • It controls the use of public money • It has to accept the Gov’s Bill • It monitors the work of the government and it’s ministers and held them accountable • It might create special investigative committees with special powers
IV. Control • The P. is the Master of the State’s Budget (the Chair of the Financial Committee should be offered to a member of the Oppos.) • It controls the use of public money (Every member of the opposition has a right to ask and get an answer) • It has to accept the Gov’s Bill (the more oppos MP’s included the higher the legitimacy) • It monitors the work of the government and it’s ministers and held them accountable (the oppos.MP’S have the same rights to ask) • It might create special investigative committees with special powers (one third of the Parliament may ask for such a investig. Com, not only the majority)
V. Communication/Dialogue • The Parliament should set the example for the dialogue, deliberation and respect citizens show to each-other • It organizes Public Hearings on any problems • Actual debates take up public concerns and help him to understand them • By such communicative efforts the P contributes to the integration of the society
V. Communication/Dialogue • The Parliament should set the example for the dialogue, deliberation and respect citizens show to each-other (can only be realized with the opposition members) • It organizes Public Hearings on any problems (20% of the Com or the Parliament should be enough to ask for) • Actual debates take up public concerns and help him to understand them (also a small group should have the right to ask for one) • By such communicative efforts the P contributes to the integration of the society (and shows respect to all kind of people)