Dimension: 4.1.2 Responding to emerging policy issues
This dimension concerns the manner in which parliament responds to policy issues emerging outside of medium- or long-term planning. These are typically unforeseen issues or developments that can attract massive public attention and become matters of common concern. An emerging policy issue can be a critical event or situation, such as a natural disaster, a threat to democracy or a communicable disease outbreak. It can also be an issue that is less critical but still emerges in an unforeseen way and requires an urgent parliamentary response.
Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. ’s procedures and agenda are usually pre-defined and planned well in advance. Yet when new policy issues emerge, parliament’s rules of procedure should allow for flexibility for the issue to be taken up within the appropriate parliamentary body.
Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. , through the plenary, parliamentary committees, political groups and other parliamentary bodies, typically exercises oversight by calling urgent debates or summoning relevant officials, by requesting information, by determining how the executive as a whole, or individual ministries or public bodies, are dealing with the issue, and by determining whether adjustments are needed.
The public needs to be able to see how parliament is acting on the emerging policy issue and to understand the decisions that are being taken.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Rules of procedure
Parliament’s rules of procedure establish mechanisms that allow for emerging policy issues to be addressed in parliament, such as through urgent debates or questions.
No 2: Oversight of the executive’s response
Parliament uses its oversight powers to oversee the executive’s response to emerging policy issues and holds the executive to account.
No 3: Communication with the public
Parliament communicates effectively with the public about emerging policy issues, including by providing regular updates on actions and decisions taken.
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 parliament’s rules of procedure concerning ways in which emerging policy issues can be taken up in parliament
- Examples of parliamentary engagement in responding to emerging policy issues, including meetings held by parliamentary committees, and other parliamentary bodies, with relevant bodies and organizations
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
Sources and further reading
- Alex Brazier, “Parliamentary Response to Crisis: Committees and Coronavirus”, Global Partners Governance (GPG) (2020).
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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