International International Standards for the Standards for the

Functioning of Functioning of Democratic Democratic LegislaturesLegislaturesFrancisco HerreroFrancisco Herrero

Senior Resident Senior Resident DirectorDirectorColombiaColombia

Development of the Development of the StandardsStandards

““Toward the Development of International Toward the Development of International Standards for Democratic Legislatures” Standards for Democratic Legislatures” (2007)(2007) Existing practiceExisting practice International declarations / statementsInternational declarations / statements

Resulting benchmarksResulting benchmarks Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

(CPA)(CPA) Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie

(APF)(APF) Southern African Development Community – Southern African Development Community –

Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF)Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF)

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Based on StandardsBased on Standards Measure perception gap betweenMeasure perception gap between

Real powers of the legislatureReal powers of the legislature Powers legislators exercise in practicePowers legislators exercise in practice

As viewed byAs viewed by LegislatorsLegislators Legislative staffLegislative staff Civil society organizationsCivil society organizations

Useful for diagnostic or reform effortsUseful for diagnostic or reform efforts

QuestionsQuestionsElection and Status Election and Status (2)(2)Immunity (1)Immunity (1)Remuneration/Remuneration/Benefits (1)Benefits (1)

Organization (11)Organization (11)Procedure (2)Procedure (2)Committees (3)Committees (3)Caucuses (3)Caucuses (3)Parliamentary Staff Parliamentary Staff (3)(3)

Functions (7)Functions (7)Legislative (4)Legislative (4)Oversight (2)Oversight (2)Representational (1)Representational (1)

Values (4)Values (4)Accessibility (2)Accessibility (2)Transparency/Transparency/Integrity (1)Integrity (1)Public Consultation Public Consultation (1)(1)

ImplementationImplementation

2008 pilot in Bosnia-Herzegovina2008 pilot in Bosnia-Herzegovina

2009 participating countries2009 participating countries ColombiaColombia GuatemalaGuatemala PeruPeru SerbiaSerbia

MethodologyMethodology

Guided interviewGuided interview Administered by NDI staffAdministered by NDI staff

25 two-part sets of statements25 two-part sets of statements Formal powersFormal powers Actual practiceActual practice

OversightOversight

Legally, committees have the power of summons to examine persons, papers and records, including witnesses and evidence from the executive branch.

In practice, committees have summoned persons, papers and records, including witnesses and evidence from the executive branch.

Oversight (All)Oversight (All)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Power Practice Power Practice Power Practice

MP CSO Staff

Agree Strongly Agree

Oversight (Colombia)Oversight (Colombia)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Power Practice Power Practice Power Practice

MP CSO Staff

Agree Strongly Agree

BudgetBudget

Legally, the legislature has the power to amend the budget before approving it.

In practice, the legislature amended the budget before approving it.

Budget (All)Budget (All)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Power Practice Power Practice Power Practice

MP CSO Staff

Agree Strongly Agree

Budget (Colombia)Budget (Colombia)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Power Practice Power Practice Power Practice

MP CSO Staff

Agree Strongly Agree

Next StepsNext Steps

Further analysis of resultsFurther analysis of results Why? Why?

Share with legislators and staffShare with legislators and staff Identify areas of potential reformIdentify areas of potential reform Promote full use of legislature’s powersPromote full use of legislature’s powers