Dimension: 1.7.4 Summoning the executive in plenary
This dimension concerns the authority of parliament to summon representatives of the executive, including the prime minister, ministers and other representatives of the executive, to appear in the plenary. This process is often known as “interpellation” and can involve deliberation on their possible dismissal from the government.
Interpellation is a powerful tool that enables parliament and MPs to publicly express their opinions and conduct effective oversight. Interpellations are usually written requests for information from the executive by a group of MPs or a political group, with the intention of launching a debate. After a motion on interpellation has been submitted, representatives of the executive are required to respond to the request or question in person in the plenary. Interpellations almost always address matters of national importance.
The legal framework should establish clear procedures for summoning representatives of the executive in plenary, including the initiation of interpellations, the associated time frame, and guaranteed speaking time for the opposition. The number of MPs required to launch an interpellation procedure varies from one country to another.
Following an interpellation, parliament may take actions such as a censure motion, or a resolution expressing parliament’s opinion on the subject of the debate. Such debates may even result in a no-confidence motion seeking a political sanction.
See also Dimension 1.7.3: Summoning the executive in committee
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Legal framework
The legal framework authorizes parliament to summon representatives of the executive to appear in the plenary. Representatives of the executive are legally required to respond to an interpellation in person in the plenary.
No 2: Procedures
Parliament’s rules of procedure establish the procedure for interpellations, including the number of MPs required to launch an interpellation and the possible results of the process.
No 3: Practice
In practice, parliament makes use of the interpellation procedure and representatives of the executive appear in the plenary when requested to do so.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework on the summoning of representatives of the executive to appear in the plenary
- The percentage of plenary time that parliament devotes to interpellations versus other activities
- Examples of motions on the initiation of interpellations
- The number of times cabinet members appear in the plenary during the year for interpellation or summons
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
Sources and further reading
- Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Parliamentary Report 2017 – Parliamentary oversight Parliamentary oversight The close examination and investigation of government policies, actions and spending that is carried out by parliament to ensure they are reaching their intended beneficiaries appropriately, equitably and with integrity. : Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. ’s power to hold government to account (2017).
- Hironori Yamamoto, Tools for parliamentary oversight: A comparative study of 88 national parliaments (2007).
Get help with this assessment
The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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