The Role of Parliaments in Exceptional Times

Abstract

What is the role of Parliaments during the COVID-19 pandemic? Countries had to adjust their decision-making procedures to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. In most countries, this has been done by strengthening the position of the executive bodies. However, the chapter shows that one cannot only argue about the decline of the Parliaments. Yes, they did not play a significant role in the daily management of the pandemic, and fast-track legislation and restrictions on gatherings were additional hurdles. Yet, many Parliaments were able to adapt to the “new state of the world” mainly by developing original oversight instruments to keep governments accountable. The pandemic has, thus, revealed and certainly accelerated a trend of declining parliamentary influence in policymaking compensated by the development of oversight instruments. The chapter also highlights the importance of political contexts in appreciating these changes.