During today’s public meeting on the Draft National Ordinance Establishing Ministries (LIM), I questioned both the process and the content of this fundamental law, which determines the structure of the governmental apparatus for the coming years.
As a Member of Parliament, I demanded that our questions be answered. Essential questions which the Government neglected to answer in writing. Already during the first round of the meeting, I emphasized that the entire process surrounding this draft law demonstrates “an unacceptable lack of respect for democracy and for the essential oversight function of Parliament.”
Lack of respect for Parliament
I warned against a dangerous pattern, caused by the Government and tolerated by the Vice Speaker and the Speaker of Parliament, which undermines the authority of Parliament:
Parliament was given only 24 hours to read, analyze, and submit questions on the draft law, compared to the 10 days granted in 2022;
No consideration was given to 8 Members of Parliament who were attending a Parlatino meeting and other official engagements;
Superficial responses: the Government answered 178 questions from the MEP faction with only 11 lines of text, refusing to address each question individually. They “wrote for the sake of writing,” without providing real answers;
The Government’s excuse of “lack of time” is unacceptable. Without embarrassment, the Government wrote:
“Questions and remarks which, as a result of lack of time, are not addressed in this note.”
How does the Government justify such remarks? First, insufficient time is given to ask questions, and then the questions that are asked are not properly answered. This reflects a total lack of seriousness and accountability.
The Government, and to a certain extent the Speaker of Parliament who cooperates in this process, treats Parliament as an institution undeserving of proper attention and respect, thereby undermining the credibility of the entire legislative process.
The Government was fully aware that Parliament would go into recess on December 19, yet failed to properly handle three priority draft laws. As a result, Parliament is now being obstructed in carrying out its oversight responsibilities.
I urged the Speaker of Parliament to stand up for the highest institution of this country and to demand respect. The Government itself is late, and the Speaker should have done what was right: treat each law responsibly and conclude the debate and voting at the beginning of 2026.
A Speaker of Parliament, regardless of political affiliation, must ensure that respect and parliamentary democracy prevail in the chamber. The Speaker must ensure that Parliament is given the time and cooperation necessary to properly exercise its oversight role.
A Speaker who truly respects parliamentary democracy would never comply with a Government request to bulldoze three laws through Parliament in three days (likely five days), including the national budget for 2026—the most important law debated by Parliament each year.
I condemn the unacceptable lack of respect shown by the Government, which gave Parliament only 24 hours to review a fundamental law and dismissed 178 questions with a cheap “lack of time” excuse. This is a dangerous pattern that undermines Parliament’s oversight function. If the pillar of oversight (Parliament) is dismantled by those who are supposed to protect it, what is the true value of the seat each Member of Parliament holds and of your voice as the people?
Press Release – MP Shailiny Tromp-Lee
