A positive impression is left by the night that almost ended on Thursday with the adoption of the 423rd bill governmentfour years for parliament. Official data show that progress has been recorded, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in a number of areas of the National Representation’s legislative and oversight function, in which gray areas or even distortions have been identified over time.

Speaker of Parliament K. Tasulas, speaking about this progress, with restrained optimism says the phrase “while it lasts”, expressing the hope that in the future there will be no cancellations of what has been achieved. At the same time, everyone in parliament agrees that further steps are needed to build confidence in the parliamentary system.

Progress cannot go unnoticed, especially since it also started in the unprecedented and extremely difficult conditions created by the pandemic, when restrictions and emergency health measures turned, in fact, from an obstacle into an opportunity: “remote” participation mechanisms were launched in meetings and to votewith parallel digital modernization of a number of parliamentary tasks and protection of the system from cyber attacks.

The ministers were present at the parliamentary control, and the overdue amendments slowed down.

With regard to the quantitative data, which have improved, among other things, the following is noted: a) 50% reduction in the number of amendments (717 compared to 1422 in the previous period under the SYRIZA government). Government sources note that, in fact, the phenomenon of numerous overdue or amendments to the sanctions of international agreements has practically ceased. b) Reduction in the number of draft laws (10 vs. 47) submitted in order of urgency and urgency. c) Increase in topical issues (2553 versus 1687). Of additional interest is the fact that in the last four years there have been only two unjustified absences of ministers in the parliamentary oversight process: a rate of 0.06%, as is commonly reported, compared to 30% under the SYRIZA-ANEL government.

On the positive side, parliamentary sources also include the fact that the number of adopted laws has increased significantly compared to the previous period (423 compared to 284), while through budget bills previously adopted as simple amendments, it became possible to “pass” through public discussion.

Finally, the fact that for the first time there has been a significant strengthening of the control rights of the opposition, achieved on the initiative of the ND, is also considered innovative. during the revision of the constitution. This is known to be the right of a minority to set up commissions of inquiry, which has been used twice (in connection with cases of wiretapping and media financing). Overall, meetings of standing parliamentary committees recorded an increase of 31%, as 1,304 were held compared to 996 in the previous four years, apparently due to an increase in bills.

Finally, it is noted that after the change Rules of Procedure of Parliamentits audit role has been strengthened more broadly, since from 2020 it can propose annual reviews of shortcomings in public administration systems to the Court of Accounts.