The active participation of MPs in parliamentary life is of particular importance; therefore, improving the work of the Assembly means active participation of all parliamentary parties, appropriate consultations and regulatory impact assessment before the adoption of legislation. Developing an active political culture of reasoned and constructive debate is important because it enables the adoption of quality laws of importance to citizens. It is necessary to overcome this situation to develop a real parliamentary culture with responsible and active MPs.
Worrisome abuses of the Rules of Procedure can be prevented by amending the Rules of Procedure, i.e., by introducing provisions by which a qualified minority could initiate a continuation or a complete termination of the debate. In doing so, the same mechanism must not impede the opposition’s right to participate effectively in the debate. This mechanism must also be used only in the case of worrisome and destructive forms of filibustering, which would be an assessment of the Assembly itself
Preventing abuse of the Rules of Procedure and filibustering can be achieved through the effective involvement of the opposition in the governance of the Assembly. Determining the number of vice presidents could contribute to better representation of opposition parties in the leadership of the Assembly. Additionally, a mechanism for electing vice presidents is needed, with a lower selection threshold than an absolute majority.
The Assembly’s governance and the agenda’s determination must be achieved by consensus. The establishment of a collective body consisting of the President, the Vice-Presidents and the representatives of the political groups in the Assembly will contribute to more effective control of the competencies of the President. This body must also have decision-making power and certain competencies.
To conclude, when it comes to overcoming political crises, “the main political parties should find a mechanism for overcoming future crises, in cases where the opposition uses boycott…”. In such instances, the public interest must be placed before the party system. In a deliberative democracy, all political actors are responsible for contributing to an effective decision-making process in the interest of citizens to ensure the protection of democracy and the rule of Law.
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Towards a more efficient and constructive Assembly through amendments to the Rules of Procedure