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Internal democracy of liberal political parties

Internal democracy of liberal political parties. Dennis Hesseling & Lousewies van der Laan Abidjan, 21/10/2012. 11. Workshop Outline. Introductory Session Focus: candidate selection Group discussions. Introduction topic, trainers and group Focus: candidate selection Group discussions.

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Internal democracy of liberal political parties

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  1. Internal democracy of liberal political parties Dennis Hesseling & Lousewies van der Laan Abidjan, 21/10/2012 11

  2. Workshop Outline • Introductory Session • Focus: candidate selection • Group discussions

  3. Introduction topic, trainers and group Focus: candidate selection Group discussions

  4. Introduction Dennis Hesseling • Education: • PhD in mathematics • Political activities (voluntary): • Former president and international officer Jonge Democraten (young democrats D66) • Former D66 candidate at the national parliament (2 times) • Trainer in Morocco, Tunesia, Mali, Burundi, Kenya, South Africa • Observer at elections in Paraguay • Former Board member “International Democratic Initiative” D66 Professional career : • Management consultant at McKinsey, Brussels • Competition Authority, Netherlands

  5. Introduction Lousewies van der Laan • Education: • International Baccalaureate (UNWC American West) • Law Degree (University of Leiden) • Degree in International Economics (John Hopkins University) • Political activities & Professional Career: • Joined D66 in 1993 • Ran for EP in 1994 (13th place on list) • Elected to European Parliament in 1999 • Delegation leader, vice-president committee on civil Liberties, justice and home affairs, member of delegation for relations with Palestinian Parliament, founder campaign for Parliament reform • Elected to Dutch Parliament in 2003 • Became party leader in March 2006 after leader had to resign over Uruzgan (until November 2006, when did not stand for re-election) • Top woman and nr 2 on national list • Deputy party leader, spokeswoman international relations, human rights, justice, police equal opportunities, chair Technology committee, vice-chair Europe committee • Lost leadership election June 2006, brought down Dutch government July 2006 (after ministerial abuse of power) • Chief of staff President of the International Criminal Court • Independent advisor on human rights, rule of law and democracy

  6. D66: social liberals • Politics should promote individual development • Combination of individual liberty and solidarity • Open and pragmatic approach • Member of LI and ELDR

  7. Coalition politics in the Netherlands 6

  8. External Internal D66 focused on democratization Referendum Direct elections for prime minister and mayor Electoral system based on constituencies Highest organ of the party: general assembly • One party member one vote • Group members have the right of initiative and amendement • Election of members of the national bureau • Determination of the electoral program Elections for candidates for parliamentary elections Identical structures on local and regional levels

  9. Participant introduction • Your name, your party name, your country, position within the party • One strong point of your party vis-à-vis internal democracy • One question vis-à-vis internal democracy

  10. Questions?

  11. Introduction topic, trainers and group Focus: candidate selection Group discussions

  12. Why internal democracy? • Improve quality of ideas and people • Mass mobilisation (especially among youth) • Strengthen party organisation and build geographic spread • Identify dissent (avoid Malema-like situations) • Training of new party cadre and culture of grass roots engagement • Limit floor-crossing and ensure internal party discipline • Drawbacks: sharing power, may lose internal vote

  13. Applicability of internal democracy

  14. What is the desired effect of the electoral list? • The best politicians? • Necessary knowledge for parliamentary work (e.q. judicial, financial, etc.)? • A representative of • Regions? • Male - female? N.B. Quota by law? • Young - old? • Ethnicities? N.B. Representation by law? • Particular groups (e.g. workers)? • An effective group collaboration?

  15. Who decides on the electoral list? • The party’s national bureau? • All party members? • A representation of the members (e.g. at the party congress)? • Non-party member role? • Can be differentiated according to level (national/regional) and position (top of the list/other positions)

  16. Party CongressLibDems, UK September, 2012

  17. Factors to consider in the decision making process • The electoral law and the electoral code • The party rules • The culture/country of the party • The logistical/financial possibilities • The available time

  18. Decision of the national office Internal member elections Internal congress elections Scheme of the options High Democratic level Low Low High Practical options (time, logistics)

  19. Transparency is crucial! • On the right to vote • On the process • On the decision making process • On the delays • And... always in advance!

  20. Candidate selection procedure • Callwithin / outside of the party • To apply oneself, or • To be nominated by someone /a party unit • Official proposal form, within the specified period Candidate nomination List presentation Decision • Composed by the national bureau / an independent commission, or • On alphabetical order, random beginning • By vote • Always secret and anonymous • Always an independent voting commission (≥3 persons) • Preserve voting cards in case of objections

  21. Member profile of commission draft first list • Independent of the vote (including family) • Knowledge of the party • Political experience • Authority within the party • Discretion

  22. Obligation of the commission to propose a list • Established by the national bureau • Written set of specifications, including special interests • Specified period • Process: in any case conversations with all candidates • Results: an ordered list, including motivation

  23. Methods of Decision • Established in advance in writing and communicated to the party • In case of a proposal list: vote on alternative propositions,starting with position no.1 • In case of absence of a proposal list: each person with the right to vote composes his ordered list

  24. Electoral campaign - internal! • Aim: to inform members who have the right to vote • Desired result: a better list of candidates • Good exercise for external elections • Methods: leaflets, telephone, website, discussion at party congress, regional presentations etc.

  25. How to avoid conflicts? • High integrity method and decision making • Checks and transparency, before and during the process • Honest campaign (positive vs. negative) • Distance persons with a function within the party • Public promises of candidates respecting the results of the process • Inclusive attitude of the winner (e.g. Obama)

  26. Campaign material examples

  27. Questions?

  28. Introduction topic, trainers and group Focus: candidate selection Group discussions

  29. To discuss • Input morning session • Process: subgroups French/English • Report back in plenary

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