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Fact Sheet January 2012

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Fact Sheet January 2012 FACT SHEET JANUARY 2012 THE DANISH The Danish Parliament in brief PARLIAMENT The Danish Parliament, which has been unica- ment by asking questions to Ministers about IS CALLED THE meral since the last revision of the Constitution their administration of existing laws. in 1953, consists of 179 Members (MPs). MPs FOLKE TING. are elected at general elections which must be The Speaker of the Danish Parliament is elected held at least once every four years. Of the 179 for each new parliamentary session. The princi- IT IS LOCATED MPs, 175 are elected in Denmark, whereas each pal task of the Speaker is to ensure that sittings of the other two members of the Danish Realm in the Chamber are held in an orderly manner. IN THE CHRIS- – the Faeroe Islands and Greenland – elects two He is also the Head of the Parliament’s Admini- TIANSBORG MPs. stration, which employs about 400 people. The Danish Parliament has 26 Standing Com- The Danish system of government PALACE IN mittees with up to 29 members each. The com- The Danish system of government is known as mittees primarily discuss the Bills and proposals negative parliamentarianism whereby the THE HEART OF for parliamentary resolutions introduced in the Government need not have a majority in the Da- Chamber of the Folketing. However, they also nish Parliament – but it must not have a majority COPEN HAGEN. exercise parliamentary scrutiny of the Govern- against it. In fact, most Danish governments More than 15,000 questions are put to Ministers by the Danish Parliament every year have been minority governments. At least 90 are necessarily present in the Chamber when seats are required to form a majority govern- votes are cast. Party groups enter into informal ment. pairing agreements with each other, which is a distinctive characteristic of the Danish Parlia- Political work in the Danish ment. These agreements make it possible for a Parliament number of MPs from each party group to be ab- The Danish Parliament is in session from the sent when votes are cast, thus allowing them to first Tuesday in October to the same time in the perform other political tasks without disturbing following year. As a rule, work in the Chamber the balance of power in the Chamber. However, stops before the Danish Constitution Day on 5 in order for the Danish Parliament to form a quo- June, but the committees continue their meet- rum, at least 90 MPs must take part in a vote. ings over the summer. Parliamentary scrutiny of the Reading of Bills Government A Bill (draft legislation) must always be read In addition to making laws, the Danish Parlia- three times in the Chamber before it can be- ment also exercises parliamentary scrutiny of come law. At first reading, the debate is of a the Government. For example, MPs and the principle nature. The Bill then proceeds to com- Standing Committees can put questions to Mi- mittee stage where it is scrutinized by one of nisters. Most questions are answered in writing, the 26 Standing Committees, followed by a se- but MPs can also ask Ministers to answer que- cond and third reading in the Chamber. stions orally in the Chamber at the weekly Que- stion Time. MPs may also ask “impromptu que- A Bill can only become law if a majority votes in stions”, which means that once a week, during favour of it during the second and third reading. Question Hour, Ministers must answer questi- However, this does not mean that all 179 MPs ons which they have not seen in advance. The cheeky painter A special feature of the Danish Parliament’s interior is a 268 metre long floral frieze adorning the walls of the hall on the first floor. The frieze was painted in 1918-21 by Rasmus Larsen, who later became known as “the cheeky painter” be- cause he added his own, ironic re- marks on political life to the frieze: “Not every cock that crows prom- ises a new day”. And: “Everybody wants to be the boss, but where work’s concerned, they’re at a loss.” These are just a couple of “words of advice” and admonitions for politi- cians to think about when they pass Rasmus Larsen’s work. Svanemærket tryksag 541-657 Folketinget Christiansborg DK-1240 København K Tlf. +45 3337 5500 www.ft.dk/english [email protected] Parliamentary scrutiny can also be exercised • The Government exercising executive in the form of a longer interpellation debate power, ensuring that legislation is propo- in the Chamber, which could result in the sed and complied with once it has been Government being censured and, in extreme adopted. cases, in a majority decision by the Parlia- • The courts exercising judicial power, ment to unseat the Government. pronouncing judgements in disputes between citizens and between the The Danish Constitution authorities and citizens. The Danish Constitution is embodied in the Constitutional Act of 1849, most recently The people’s Parliament amended in 1953 when the Danish bicameral More than 60,000 people visit the Danish Parlia- system was abolished. ment each year to meet politicians and experi- ence democracy first hand. In addition, approx. Similar to the model used in other democra- 1,200 political party employees, civil servants, cies, the Danish Constitutional Act divides po- journalists and many others work at or regularly During each session, wer into three independent branches in order visit the Danish Parliament as part of their pro- there are just over to prevent the abuse of power. fession. 100 sitting days in In Denmark power is divided between: Following the work of the Danish Parliament does the Chamber, and not require you to be physically present at Chri- • The Danish Parliament exercising stiansborg. Instead, you can choose to watch the 200-300 Bills are legi slative power, i.e. adopting legi- Parliament’s own TV channel or visit its website debated slation. at www.ft.dk/tv for live debates and information..
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