Dimension: 1.1.1 Institutional autonomy

This dimension focuses on the legal provisions establishing parliament’s institutional autonomy over its administrative and operational affairs. This institutional autonomy is the foundation that allows parliament to represent the interests of the people. 

Institutional autonomy includes having authority in matters such as:

  • calling regular or extraordinary sessions
  • electing its own bodies, determining its committees and organizing its business
  • drafting, proposing, debating and approving legislation
  • overseeing the work of the executive
  • deciding on its rules (see also Dimension 1.1.2: Procedural autonomy)

Institutional autonomy is usually established in the constitution. Depending on the context of each country, it may be further developed in laws and/or parliamentary rules of procedure. 

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Aspiring goal

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “institutional autonomy” is as follows:

  • The legal framework establishes parliament as an autonomous body whose mandate is to represent the interests of the people. 

  • Parliament has autonomy in electing its own bodies, determining its committees, organizing its business and deciding on its rules. 

  • Parliament has the authority to call regular or extraordinary sessions, to draft, propose, debate and approve legislation, and to oversee the work of the executive. 

  • Parliament’s practices are aligned with the relevant provisions of the legal framework.

Assess your parliament against this dimension

Assessment criteria

No 1: Constitutional authority

An independent and autonomous parliament is established in the legal framework and/or by legal precedent. 

No 2: Legal framework

The legal framework establishes parliament’s autonomy in all areas of its functioning, including in determining its own rules, organization and procedures, in electing its own bodies, in establishing its committees, in calling plenary or debate sessions, and in setting its agenda.

No 3: Practice

In practice, the provisions of the legal framework for institutional autonomy are recognized and followed by all parties, including the executive. 

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 from the legal framework establishing an independent legislative branch 
  • Rules of procedure Rules of procedure The rules approved by parliament to regulate its proceedings and govern the way it conducts its business. adopted by parliament alone 
  • Laws and rules under which parliament has autonomy in determining its own organization and procedures, in electing its own bodies and leadership, in setting its committees and in organizing its business
  • Evidence that these laws and rules are routinely followed and respected
  • Established committees/bodies within parliament through which MPs alone have the authority to amend or change procedures, rules and conduct within committees

Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.

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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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