The work of MPs shows an imbalance between the parliamentary majority and the opposition. Opposition bills continue to be missing from the agenda, while only parliamentary majority initiatives are adopted. The average attendance rate at sittings is 87%, but only 63-74 MEPs actually vote and frequent absences of independent MEPs have led to sanctions. The findings belong to experts from the Promo-LEX association, which analyzed the work of the parliament in the 2023-2024 period. According to them, these issues underline the need for stricter measures to improve legislative transparency and efficiency, IPN reports.
Promo-LEX notes that transparency of decision-making in the legislative process remains problematic, although progress has been made in reducing the number of bills adopted without opinions or expertise. Poor publication of documents related to public consultations and low rate of citizens' involvement in the legislative process are the main challenges.
During the monitored period, at least nine drafts were adopted without the necessary opinions or expertise and anti-corruption recommendations and expertise were ignored in 62 cases. On a positive note, the approval of an annual legislative program for 2024 was partially achieved (48% for the spring session).
"We appreciate that in 2024 there was a legislative program for the first time. It is a beneficial factor that the Parliament was able to approve a list of priority draft legislation. We noted that this program was realized to the extent of only 48% for the spring session or 16% of the total bills. We would welcome the continued existence of such a program and believe that this practice should be continued", said Mihaela Duca-Anghelici, head of the analysis team, Promo-LEX.
