Dimension: 1.10.1 Relations with the executive
This dimension concerns the relationship between parliament and the executive. In democratic systems, parliament and the executive have distinct and autonomous roles with established mechanisms for a well-functioning working relationship.
One of the key roles of an effective parliament is to hold the executive to account. It is therefore critical that mechanisms and channels exist to allow parliament to access information, data and officials, in order to report on public accounts, services and performance, and to ensure the accountability of government expenditure and programmes. These mechanisms may include an ombudsperson, auditors-general, inspectors-general, oversight and accountability committees, commissions and agencies, audit offices, anti-corruption commissions and information commissions.
In some systems, the executive may have dedicated legislative liaisons, who are responsible for providing MPs with direct access to data and information on programmes and accounts. This helps to ensure better exchange of information between the two branches at all times, and enables both MPs and their caseworkers to enquire about public programmes and services on behalf of citizens. The existence of legislative liaisons also helps to maintain the executive-legislative relationship in law-making, such as when the executive proposes new legislation or changes to existing laws.
A nation’s laws may require periodic information-sharing between the executive and legislative branches, such as through semi-annual, annual or periodic performance reports, audits and reviews. Such laws should require these reports, audits and reviews to be made available to parliament and the public.
See also Indicator 1.1: Parliamentary autonomy and Indicator 1.7: Oversight.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Constitution
The constitution establishes a separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches, and establishes a framework for the relationship between the executive and parliament. In countries where the Head of State is a part of the executive branch, there are constitutional and legal provisions regarding the election, mandate and roles of the Head of State, as well as the conditions and procedures for impeachment.
No 2: Legal framework
The legal framework defines the powers and duties of the executive and parliament, as well as mechanisms for a well-functioning relationship between them. The legal framework requires the executive to report periodically to parliament on its activities, and establishes a systematic approach to the review and scrutiny of such activities.
No 3: Information-sharing
There are established mechanisms for periodic information-sharing, as well as for access to, and oversight of, executive expenditure, programmes, services and performance. Any offices or commissions established for this purpose are non-partisan in nature and enable fluid communication and access to information between the branches.
No 4: Coordination
Both parliament and the executive have dedicated offices or staff to manage and coordinate issues including parliamentary agenda-setting, prime minister’s questions, the participation of ministers in parliamentary meetings, the summoning of executive officials to parliament, answers to MPs’ questions, and similar matters.
No 5: Practice
In practice, there is a well-functioning working relationship between the executive and parliament, which is based on a mutual understanding of, and respect for, their respective roles. Information is shared effectively between the executive and legislative branches.
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 establishing an independent legislative branch
- Provisions of the legal framework establishing mechanisms for the relationship between the executive and parliament, as well as timetables for reporting, audits and reviews, as applicable
- Details of mechanisms providing both branches with fluid and consistent access to information, and evidence of communication with liaisons who can supply direct information on public expenditure, services and programmes
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
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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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