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.ch www.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/Election legitimacy 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)