The Parliament – the Heart of Democracy and engine for Nation building

1. 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.chwww.andigross.ch Presentation for Diplomats from Guinée at the GCSP in Geneva, December 15th 2016

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.)

7. 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 implementationand the respect of any law by the Government

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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