The Parliament – the Heart of Democracy and engine for Nation building by Dr.h.c. Andreas Gross (Switzerland) (Political Scientist/Dir. Atelier for Direct Democracy St-Ursanne, 24 years Swiss MP/ 2008-2016: Leader of the Social Democrats in the PA of the Council of Europe, Strasburg) Info@andigross.ch www.andigross.ch Presentation for Diplomats from Guinée at the GCSP in Geneva, December 15th 2016

Defined in the Constitution Conflict resolution without violence Democracy: Mosaic of Hundreds of constitutive Institutions, Rights, Proceedings, values, attitudes, relations, results Defined in the Constitution A never ending Process Conflict resolution without violence

Engine in Nation building (I): Optimal representation (open proportional system in decentralized territories, where citizens identify themselves with their representatives) Territorial representation in second chamber with mathematically over-representation of “minorities” Open Deliberation as contribution to integration Stable Government – Strong Parliament Direct Democracy is a integrative force At least: Constitutional Referendum

Engine in Nation building (II): Power sharing Fair distribution of life chances Equal development of infrastructure in all regions Taking care of non privileged parts of society Priority for education and life long learning Equal chances for men and women

The 5 main duties and tasks of a Parliament Creation/Election Legislation Representation Control Communication / Dialogue

The Parliament (P) elects the Government (G) I. Creation / Election The Parliament (P) elects the Government (G) 2 Thirds of the P may revise the Constitution (and submit it to the people) The P can deprive the G from it’s confidence (“Constructive nonconfid.vote) The P may elect other important bodies (Judges, Ombudsperson, adv. bodies etc.)

Each Member of the Parliament has the right to propose new legislation II. Legislation In order to be valid each law has after a public debate 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

III. Representation 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

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

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