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DEONTOLOGY IN THE BELGIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DEONTOLOGY IN THE BELGIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ECPRD Seminar Skopje – May 8, 2014 Session 2 Structures and Procedures for Implementation of the Codes of Conduct in the National Parliaments. OVERVIEW. Incompatibilities Financial ceiling (1999)

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DEONTOLOGY IN THE BELGIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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  1. DEONTOLOGY IN THE BELGIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ECPRD Seminar Skopje – May 8, 2014 Session 2 Structures and Procedures for Implementation of the Codes of Conduct in the National Parliaments

  2. OVERVIEW • IncompatibilitiesFinancial ceiling (1999) • Statements of offices held (2005)Declarations of assets (2005) • Code of Deontology of the House (2013)

  3. 1. INCOMPATIBILITIESANDFINANCIAL CEILING Act of 1931 modified by an Act of 1999 1.1 Absolute incompatibilities 1.2 Relative incompatibilities 1.3 Financial ceiling

  4. 1.1 Absolute incompatibilities - Limited enumeration in the Act of 1931: public offices (elected or not);judicial functions;private sector employment (attorney for the state). • Constitution: Minister, MP in other Parliament. • Acts regulating public institutions: railway, post, ...

  5. 1.2 Relative incompatibilities (1999) MP + “one paid executive mandate”: • Mayor, alderman, President social council; • Representative of a public authority in a private or public institution with more competences than an ordinary Board or General Council member [especially (V)P]; • More than 672,39 EUR/month.

  6. 1.3 Financial ceiling In case of plurality of public offices : max. 1,5x parliamentary alllowance.

  7. 2. Statements of offices held Declarations of assets Objective Transparency and equal treatment. Information to the public. Statements of offices – conflicts of interests. Declaration of assets – illegal enrichment.

  8. 2. Statements of offices held Declarations of assets Procedure MPs amongst other political representatives. Statement of offices : public and private functions, indicating “remunerated or not” – no amounts. Declaration of assets : assets and liabilities, in a sealed envelope. To submit yearly to the Court of Audit.

  9. 2. Statements of offices held Declarations of assets Publicity Statements of offices published in Official Gazette. Rectifications possible (by subjects and third persons), contradictory procedure. Declarations of assets : only judicial authorities can consult in case of a criminal procedure for an offence in the performance of parliamentary duties.

  10. 2. Statements of offices held Declarations of assets • Sanctions • List of defaulting (MPs) in Official Gazette. • Failure to submit = criminal offence : • fine of 600 till 6000 EUR.

  11. 3. Code of Deontology 3.1 Federal Commission on Deontology 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House

  12. 3.1 Commission on Deontology Independent body. Advisory body (nopunishingauthority):- confidentialindividualopinions;- generalopinions and recommendations. Will draft a Code for public officers, exceptforMPs.

  13. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Result of the 6th State Reform (2011). November 2013. New article in the Rules of Procedure that refers to the Code as annex of those Rules. 20 articles, 6 pages.

  14. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Triple objective: - improve relations MPs-citizens; - framing/ contextualising work of MPs; - reinforce role of Parliament. Orientated towards political services. Citizens can deduce also guidelines for their behaviour. MPs can be “punished” in next elections.

  15. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House MPs + staff members & 3rd persons acting in their name. General rules on conduct (integrity, honesty, dignity, ...). Title or prerogatives of MP may not be used for other purpose than performance of their duty. MPs have a referral function, they are themselves no complaints department. MP is not a mediator ! General interest > private interest.

  16. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Conflict of interest: “if a personal interest could have an undesirable influence on MPs’ duties” . “personal” = in a large sense (see Council of Europe). Affection of a personal situation is not sufficient. Ask Commission for individual opinion in case of doubt.

  17. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Conflict of interest Has to be mentioned orally or written before making any oral or written statement and before voting in committee or plenary.

  18. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House No financial or material advantages in exchange for acts accomplished in the performance of MPs’duties (except for symbolic gifts / reimbursment of costs). No discrimination between citizens (see Constitution). Informational and referral function (but no information to which citizens have no access).

  19. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Interventions : acts in favour of citizens in the treatment of theirfile. No • violation of separation of powers (incl. respect public services); • influencingoraccelarating of adminstrativeorjudicial procedures ; • illicitorillegalfavours; • shaminterventions (faked) orinterpositions (undemanded).

  20. 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House specificintervention : entranceinto office • informational / referralfunction; • nofavouritismif MP in selectioncommittee; • assistance to candidatesafterselection procedure is possible. Letters of recommendation are authorised.

  21. Questions? 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Publicity Limited to minimal necessary contact information, exceptforpoliticalpublications.

  22. Questions? 3.2 Code of Deontology of the House Compliance For the moment nosanctions. Butsomearticlesrepeatcriminalprovisions (e.g. corruption). Commissioncan issue ex officiorecommendations. Politicalgroupsmakesummaries of problems to help the Commissionforissuiingitsopinions.

  23. Questions? DEONTOLOGY IN THE BELGIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Questions?

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