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PARLIAMENTARY CONTROL

Special Procedures

Parliamentary Control on Independent Authorities
( article 101A of the Constitution and 138Α of the Standing Orders )

Any Independent Authority which is established by virtue of the Constitution or a statutory law, should by March 31^st have submitted to the Speaker an annual report on previous year activities and proceedings. The report is forwarded either to the Special Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency or to the competent Standing Committee, or to any other appropriate committee which is established on specific occasions, by the Conference of the Speakers.

Motions of censure and confidence
( articles 84of the Constitution and 141-142 of the Standing Orders)

Within 15 days of taking the Oath, and following the debate on the Government’s declaration on general policy the prime minister and the government have to appear before Parliament and ask for its vote of confidence.

The Government may also ask for the expressed confidence of the Parliament at any point in time, by a written or oral request of the Prime Minister to parliament.

A government apparently enjoys the confidence of Parliament when the absolute majority of members present, yet no less that 2/5 of their overall number, declare their confidence.

Moreover, Parliament may withdraw its trust in Government or a member thereof by means of a censure motion. The motion must be supported and signed by at least 50 MPs and include explicitly the issues to be debated. The motion is submitted to the Speaker at a public parliamentary sitting.

Information and updates
Government statements and public announcements – Debates held before the start of the order of the day

( articles 142Α-143 of the Standing Orders)

The Prime Minister may inform parliament with respect to affairs of national importance or issues of general interest, and by an exception to article 62 par.1 of the Standing Orders. An immediate debate follows the Prime Minister’s initiative. (debates beyond the order of the day).

Moreover, to ensure provision of timely and reliable information to Parliament, the government, through the Prime Minister and in addition to having a debate beyond the Order of the Day may proceed with statements or announcements before the assembly on major issues of public importance.

Establishment of investigation committees and discussing conclusions and findings
( articles 68 of the Constitution and 144-149 of the Standing Orders)

The Plenum may establish investigation committees consisting of MPs. The committees are called to investigate issues of public interest. Decisions on the establishment of the committees are taken by the absolute majority of members present. The majority cannot nonetheless be less than 2/5 of the total number of MPs.

Upon completion of the investigation, the committee assesses the collected evidence and drafts a reasoned report on its findings, while also elaborating on any minority views expressed.

With the proposal of 1/5 of the total number of MPs the findings of the committee are registered to the order of the day. The subsequent debate is held according to article 137 of the Standing Orders.

Motion for a preliminary examination and debate on the findings of an Adhoc parliamentary committee
( articles 86 of the Constitution and 153-159 of the Standing Orders )

For the prosecution of a person who is or was a member of the Government, or an Undersecretary, an indictment proposal and a judgment of the Parliament are necessary.

The proposal is submitted by at least thirty (30) MPs and outlines the punishable actions or omissions, in accordance with the relevant Act on Minister Responsibility.

The plenary debate on the subject is limited to the taking of a decision, by an absolute majority of the total number of MPs (151 votes), on whether or not to institute an ad hoc parliamentary committee for the conduct of a preliminary examination.

The debate on the committee’s report starts within 15 days, at the latest, since the notification of an ad hoc daily agenda. It is a general debate on approving or disapproving the proposal for pressing charges against the said person.

Censure motion against the Speaker or any other member of the Presidium
( articles 150-152 of the Standing Orders)

Parliament may, should at least fifty (50) MPs make such a request in writing, move a motion against the Speaker or any other member of the Presidium. Should the motion not be rejected, whomever the motion was against loses office.