This indicator concerns the unique responsibilities assigned to MPs to conduct legislative business. It describes the frameworks that define MPs’ activities in the plenary, including in a chamber’s rules of procedure, as well as the regulations outlining the ability of MPs to set the agenda, convene meetings, conduct debates, make decisions, ensure institutional record-keeping and address general plenary matters. It also covers methods for maintaining parliamentary activities in times of emergency or crisis.

The effectiveness of parliament is strongly dependent on the ability of MPs to effectively perform the core parliamentary functions. This indicator covers a number of factors that contribute to this effectiveness, namely arrangements for taking up and leaving office, parliamentary non-accountability and inviolability, incompatibility of office, the remuneration, support and resources available to MPs, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

This indicator concerns parliament’s autonomy in all aspects of its operations. In democratic systems, parliament, as the supreme representative body, exercises legislative power, sets overall policy priorities and scrutinizes the activities of the executive. It does so within the scope established by the legal framework.