Unicameral V. Bicameral: Pros and Cons
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Synopsis of the Meeting Held in Strasbourg on 21 January 2013
BUREAU OF THE ASSEMBLY AS/Bur/CB (2013) 01 21 January 2013 TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY Synopsis of the meeting held in Strasbourg on 21 January 2013 The Bureau of the Assembly, meeting on 21 January 2013 in Strasbourg, with Mr Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Assembly, in the Chair, as regards: - First part-session of 2013 (Strasbourg, 21-25 January 2013): i. Requests for debates under urgent procedure and current affairs debates: . decided to propose to the Assembly to hold a debate under urgent procedure on “Migration and asylum: mounting tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean” on Thursday 24 January 2013 and to refer this item to the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons for report; . decided to propose to the Assembly to hold the debate under urgent procedure on “Recent developments in Mali and Algeria and the threat to security and human rights in the Mediterranean region” on Thursday 24 January 2013 and to refer this item to the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy for report; . decided not to hold a current affairs debate on “The deteriorating situation in Georgia”; . took note of the decision by the UEL Group to withdraw its request for a current affairs debate on “Political developments in Turkey regarding the human rights of the Kurds and other minorities”; ii. Draft agenda: updated the draft agenda; - Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and of the Standing Committee (5 October 2012 – 21 January 2013): (Rapporteur: Mr Kox, Netherlands, UEL): approved the Progress report; - Election observation: i. Presidential election in Armenia (18 February 2013): took note of the press release issued by the pre-electoral mission (Yerevan, 15-18 January 2013) and approved the final composition of the ad hoc committee to observe these elections (Appendix 1); ii. -
Germany | Freedom House
Germany | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/germany A. ELECTORAL PROCESS: 12 / 12 A1. Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4 Germany’s head of state is a largely ceremonial president, chosen by the Federal Convention, a body formed jointly by the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) and state representatives. The president can serve up to two five-year terms. Former foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the SPD was elected president in early 2017. The federal chancellor—the head of government—is elected by the Bundestag and usually serves for the duration of a legislative session. The chancellor’s term can be cut short only if the Bundestag chooses a replacement in a so-called constructive vote of no confidence. Angela Merkel won a fourth term as chancellor following 2017 Bundestag elections, which were held in accordance with democratic standards. After 18 years as the head of the CDU, Merkel announced in October that she would step down as chairperson at year’s end, and that she would not seek another term as chancellor in the 2021 elections. A2. Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4 The German constitution provides for a lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, as well as an upper house, the Bundesrat (Federal Council), which represents the country’s 16 federal states. The Bundestag is elected at least every four years through a mixture of proportional representation and single-member districts, which can lead the number of seats to vary from the minimum of 598. -
En En Motion for a Resolution
European Parliament 2014-2019 Plenary sitting B8-0415/2017 13.6.2017 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure on the case of Afgan Mukhtarli and the situation of media in Azerbaijan (2017/2722(RSP)) Ulrike Lunacek, Rebecca Harms, Heidi Hautala, Ignazio Corrao, Fabio Massimo Castaldo on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group RE\P8_B(2017)0415_EN.docx PE605.528v01-00 EN United in diversity EN B8-0415/2017 European Parliament resolution on the case of Afgan Mukhtarli and the situation of media in Azerbaijan (2017/2722(RSP)) The European Parliament, - Having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan and Georgia, particularly the ones concerning the human rights situation and the rule of law, - having regard to its previous resolutions on the European Neighbourhood Policy and in particular to the ones on the Eastern Partnership, - Having regard to Association Agreement with Georgia which entered into force on 1 July 2016, - Having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Azerbaijan of 1996 and to the adoption by the Council on 14 November 2016 of a mandate to the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan, - having regard to the statement by the Spokesperson of the HR/VP on the “reported abduction and illegal detention of Azerbaijani nationals residing in Georgia”, - having regard to the statement of the HR/VP on the sentencing of Mehman Huseynov in Azerbaijan of 7 March 2017, - having regard to the Council conclusions on the Eastern Partnership of the Foreign Affairs Council of 14 November 2016, - having regard to Rules 135(5) and 123(4) of its Rules of Procedure, A. -
Good Government Nordic and East Asian Perspectives
Good Government Nordic and East Asian Perspectives Geir Helgesen and Uichol Kim in collaboration with Good_Govt.pm6 1 20/08/02, 10:16 First published in 2002 by NIAS Press Nordic Institute of Asian Studies Leifsgade 33, DK–2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark tel: (+45) 3254 8844 • fax: (+45) 3296 2530 E–mail: [email protected] • Website: http://www.niaspress.dk/ in collaboration with the Danish Institute of International Affairs (DUPI) Typesetting by NIAS Press Printed and bound in Denmark by Hertz bogtrykkergården a/s Cover design by Nanna Bild © Geir Helgesen and Uichol Kim 2002 All rights reserved. No part of this volume may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of authors and publisher. The responsibility for facts and opinions expressed in this publication rests exclusively with the authors, and their interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. Publication of this book was made possible thanks to economic support from the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies and the Danish Institute of International Affairs British Library Catalogue in Publication Data A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 87-91114-16-0 Good_Govt.pm6 2 20/08/02, 10:16 Contents Preface 5 The Research Network 6 Sponsors 6 East Asian Ideals: Harmony with Nature, Acknowledgementss 6 Self and Others 40 Introduction 7 Confucianism 41 Why is it important to understand East Asian societies 43 other societies? 7 Confucianism in modern East Asia 45 East Asia and the Nordic countries: Socialization -
Georgia: Background and U.S
Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy Updated September 5, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45307 SUMMARY R45307 Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy September 5, 2018 Georgia is one of the United States’ closest non-NATO partners among the post-Soviet states. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States Cory Welt has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Analyst in European Affairs Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid in Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post-Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream party has more than a three-fourths supermajority in parliament, allowing it to rule with only limited checks and balances. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy in 2017 appeared to enter a period of stronger growth than the previous four years. The Georgian Dream won elections in 2012 amid growing dissatisfaction with the former ruling party, Georgia: Basic Facts Mikheil Saakashvili’s center-right United National Population: 3.73 million (2018 est.) Movement, which came to power as a result of Comparative Area: slightly larger than West Virginia Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution. In August 2008, Capital: Tbilisi Russia went to war with Georgia to prevent Ethnic Composition: 87% Georgian, 6% Azerbaijani, 5% Saakashvili’s government from reestablishing control Armenian (2014 census) over Georgia’s regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Religion: 83% Georgian Orthodox, 11% Muslim, 3% Armenian which broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s to Apostolic (2014 census) become informal Russian protectorates. -
Act on the Althing Ombudsman
Act No. 85/1997 on the Althing Ombudsman Article 1 Election of the Althing Ombudsman The Althing Ombudsman is elected by Althing for a period of four years. He shall fulfil the conditions provided by law as to fitness to hold the office of Supreme Court Justice and may not be a Member of Althing. In the event of the death of the Ombudsman, or his permanent incapacitation for other reasons, Althing shall hold a new election for the office. The same applies if the Ombudsman is released from his duties of his own volition, or if two thirds of the members of Althing vote to dismiss him. In case of a temporary absence of the Ombudsman the Speaker of Althing will appoint a substitute to act for him meanwhile. Article 2 Role of the Althing Ombudsman, etc. The role of the Althing Ombudsman is to monitor, on behalf of Althing and in such manner as is further stated in this Act, the administration of the State and local authorities, and to safeguard the rights of the citizens vis-a-vis the authorities. He shall ensure that the principle of equality is upheld in public administration and that such administration is otherwise conducted in conformity with the law and good administrative practice. The Ombudsman shall not, in the discharge of his functions, have to take instructions from anybody, Althing included. Article 3 Jurisdiction of the Althing Ombudsman The jurisdiction of the Althing Ombudsman extends to State and local administration. The Ombudsman's jurisdiction also extends to the activities of private parties insofar as they have been by law vested with public authority to decide as to individuals' rights and obligations in the sense of Article 1, para. -
Serbia and Montenegro
ATTACKS ON JUSTICE – SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Highlights Serbia and Montenegro (the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until February 2003) entered the process of democratic transition, the creation of a system based on the rule of law, much later than other former socialist countries. On 4 February 2003 the new state union of Serbia and Montenegro was proclaimed. Under the Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, there is only one instance of Serbia and Montenegro having a common judiciary – the Court of Serbia and Montenegro. Otherwise, each state – the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro – has its own internal courts system. A set of important judicial reforms came into force on 1 March 2002 in the Republic of Serbia and in July 2002 amendments to these laws were made that violate the principle of separation of powers and the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. In Montenegro, several laws relating to the judiciary were passed or amended during 2003. On 19 March 2003, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia dismissed 35 judges from office, including seven Supreme Court judges, amid accusations that the judiciary had failed to take tougher measures in dealing with remnants of the former regime as well as in prosecuting organized crime. The legal system in Serbia and Montenegro is still characterized by a number of contradictory and inconsistent regulations, resulting in legal insecurity. BACKGROUND On March 2002 officials of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro signed a procedural agreement for the restructuring of relations between both states in Belgrade, in the presence of the high representative of the EU,. -
Interparliamentary Conference on the European Social Charter Turin Forum on Social Rights in Europe
European Social Charter Turin Process Interparliamentary Conference on the European Social Charter Turin Forum on Social Rights in Europe 17 and 18 March 2016, Turin, Italy Official speeches and interventions Council of Europe The opinions expressed in this publication are the responibility of the authors and do not necessarely reflect the official policy of the Council of Europe. The only official versions are those delivered orally. Reproduction of the texts in this publication is authorised provided the full title and the source, namely the Council of Europe, are cited. If they are intended to be used for commercial purposes or translated into one of the non- official languages of the Council of Europe, please contact [email protected]. Cover photo: © Shutterstock, Council of Europe Cover design: Documents and Publications Production Department (SPDP), Council of Europe© © Council of Europe, November 2016 Printed at the Council of Europe Table of Contents INTRODUCTION by Riccardo PRIORE, Coordinator of the Turin Process for the European Social Charter, Council of Europe ....................................................................................................................................................4 INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL CHARTER, 17 MARCH 2016 Official speeches.............................................................................................................................8 Piero FASSINO, Mayor of Turin, Italy..............................................................................................9 -
The Strange Revival of Bicameralism
The Strange Revival of Bicameralism Coakley, J. (2014). The Strange Revival of Bicameralism. Journal of Legislative Studies, 20(4), 542-572. https://doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2014.926168 Published in: Journal of Legislative Studies Queen's University Belfast - Research Portal: Link to publication record in Queen's University Belfast Research Portal Publisher rights © 2014 Taylor & Francis. This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Queen's University Belfast Research Portal is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The Research Portal is Queen's institutional repository that provides access to Queen's research output. Every effort has been made to ensure that content in the Research Portal does not infringe any person's rights, or applicable UK laws. If you discover content in the Research Portal that you believe breaches copyright or violates any law, please contact [email protected]. Download date:01. Oct. 2021 Published in Journal of Legislative Studies , 20 (4) 2014, pp. 542-572; doi: 10.1080/13572334.2014.926168 THE STRANGE REVIVAL OF BICAMERALISM John Coakley School of Politics and International Relations University College Dublin School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy Queen’s University Belfast [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT The turn of the twenty-first century witnessed a surprising reversal of the long-observed trend towards the disappearance of second chambers in unitary states, with 25 countries— all but one of them unitary—adopting the bicameral system. -
Press Release by Parliament of Singapore Opening Of
PRESS RELEASE BY PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT TO BE HELD AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND THE ARTS HOUSE The proceedings for the Opening of the First Session of the Fourteenth Parliament of Singapore on 24 August 2020 will be held across two locations, namely Parliament House and The Arts House. This is the first time that an Opening of Parliament will be held in more than one location. As stated in a President’s Proclamation dated 14 August 2020, The Arts House is one of the appointed places that Parliament may be held under continuity arrangements as set out in the Constitution (See “Background”). 2 Beyond Members of Parliament (MPs), guests are traditionally invited to be present as observers of proceedings of the Opening of Parliament. The proceedings include the taking of Oaths and making of Affirmations by all MPs, as well as the President delivering her Address for the Opening of Parliament. Other than Parliament Secretariat staff, there will also be additional support personnel deployed for the day’s operations. 3 In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Singapore and the safe distancing measures that have to be implemented, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin has decided that the proceedings on 24 August will take place across the two locations as an added precaution. The Arts House was chosen due to factors including its proximity to Parliament House and sufficient seating capacity for proceedings with safe distancing measures. 4 MPs, guests and staff will be spread across both locations on 24 August. MPs will be taking their Oaths and making their Affirmations from the Chamber in their respective location. -
The Origins and Development of Taiwan's Policies Toward The
The Origins and Development of Taiwan’s Policies toward the Overseas Citizens’ Participation in Homeland Governance and Decision-Making Dean P. Chen, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Political Science Ramapo College of New Jersey Presentations for the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law Stanford University February 28, 2014 How International Relations (IR) Theories Matter? • Second-image reversed (Peter Gourevitch, 1978) – International systemic changes affect domestic politics – Domestic political actors and institutions filter the effects of international conditions, resulting in changes of interests, coalitions, norms, ideas, identities and policies • Constructivist theory of argumentative persuasion (Thomas Risse, 2000) – Interests and identities can be changed through the social interactive processes of argumentation, deliberation, and persuasion Main Argument • The Republic of China (ROC)/Taiwan’s policies toward overseas constituents have always been closely aligned with the government’s diplomatic objectives – From KMT’s pan-Chinese nationalism to Taiwan’s desire for a greater international space and political autonomy • Transformations of international politics inevitably shape the domestic political situations in ROC/Taiwan, which, then, impact policies toward the overseas community • Despite facing a rising People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan’s democratization and rising Taiwanese consciousness have fostered a new set of identities, interests, and arguments that compete with Beijing’s “one China” principle -
Islam in a Secular State Walid Jumblatt Abdullah Islam in a Secular State
RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN ASIA Abdullah Islam in a Secular State a Secular in Islam Walid Jumblatt Abdullah Islam in a Secular State Muslim Activism in Singapore Islam in a Secular State Religion and Society in Asia This series contributes cutting-edge and cross-disciplinary academic research on various forms and levels of engagement between religion and society that have developed in the regions of South Asia, East Asia, and South East Asia, in the modern period, that is, from the early 19th century until the present. The publications in this series should reflect studies of both religion in society and society in religion. This opens up a discursive horizon for a wide range of themes and phenomena: the politics of local, national and transnational religion; tension between private conviction and the institutional structures of religion; economical dimensions of religion as well as religious motives in business endeavours; issues of religion, law and legality; gender relations in religious thought and practice; representation of religion in popular culture, including the mediatisation of religion; the spatialisation and temporalisation of religion; religion, secularity, and secularism; colonial and post-colonial construction of religious identities; the politics of ritual; the sociological study of religion and the arts. Engaging these themes will involve explorations of the concepts of modernity and modernisation as well as analyses of how local traditions have been reshaped on the basis of both rejecting and accepting Western religious,