Parliamentary Group Research Articles

Lithuania: Political Developments and Data in 2021

AbstractThe main political developments in Lithuania in 2021 were mayoral elections in three municipalities, tensions in the Cabinet related to management of the COVID‐19 pandemic and a conflict between Lithuania and China, splits in the parliamentary political groups, and party leadership changes. Much of the article is devoted to issue politics, including the migration crisis, and social unrests directed against both the government's pandemic measures and the progressive agenda of the ruling parties.

The Impossible Stability? The Italian Lower House Parliamentary Elite After a “Decade of Crises”

The article explores recent changes in the Italian parliamentary elite thanks to a novel set of data on Italian MPs between 1946 and 2018. After a first discussion on some crucial long-term trends of Italian Lower House MPs (their turnover rate, seniority, gender balance, party-related or institutional experience), we focus on the possible explanations of the profound transformation that occurred in the past decade: the rise of new party actors, the realignment between citizens and the parliamentary elites, or the use of different electoral systems. Subsequently, we point at three MP categories, taken as the most relevant proxies of the innovations in the Italian parliamentary elite. These categories are based on the length of MPs' parliamentary career, their previous party or institutional experience, and their gender. We discuss the changing numerical relevance of these categories, their parliamentary career patterns, and some features related to the institutionalization of MPs belonging to such categories. Two implications clearly emerge from our analysis. First, the changes occurred in the so-called “decade of the crises” (after the 2013 and 2018 Italian general elections) are critical in terms of a new influx of political amateur, female, and young MPs. The magnitude of this renewal can hardly be compared to any other relevant turning point of the Italian republican age and might signal the existence of a pattern of “impossible stability” for the parliamentary elite. Second, and partly in contrast with the first implication, despite such changes, the perspectives of parliamentary career and parliamentary survival remain very much subordinated to belonging to strong parliamentary party groups. This signals that, despite broad discussions about the positive role exerted by new political actors and the demand for a stronger descriptive representation, what seems to matter in the Italian Lower House is the presence of powerful political parties.

Editorial: COVID-19 Pandemics and Politics

Abstract This short editorial proposes a specific topic for comprehensive research in COVID-19 in the CEE area, namely the role of politicians and politics during the pandemic. The text includes three short country case studies (Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia), describing different aspects of the politics/political fighting relationship and the COVID-19 pandemic. The experts’ arguments suggest that the “motto of the day” should be working together and not fighting each other. However, nothing (“almost nothing”) like this is visible in our region – or at lease in our three case studies, the only positive aspect from this point of view is the joint call of all parliamentary group leaders for vaccination in Slovenia. By its content, the editorial calls for comprehensive research on the aims of the current antagonistic situation and possible actions.

"Not on My Front Lawn": A Case Study of Hosting the 2017 Heritage Classic Event on Parliament Hill in Canada

The purpose of this research was to explore different issues and controversies found in media narratives about hosting the Heritage Classic Ice-Hockey Game on Canada's Parliament Hill. This article utilized the eight-step qualitative-temporal visual analysis and narrative methodology to look at how Canadian media framed the discussion around the hosting location of the Heritage Classic. A total of 81 news articles from 12 media outlets served as the data for the current study. Media frames were grouped into seven themes: parliamentary rules, interest groups, anniversaries, logistics, competition, event landscape, and nostalgia. These frames point to how Parliament Hill was maintained as an institution through regulations and symbolism. The following manuscript informs research on institutional work through applications of special events, eventscapes, and nostalgia.

Beyond Merkel – East Germans’ Recruitment to Leadership Positions in the German Bundestag

ABSTRACT The representation of East Germans in elite positions has been a broadly debated topic. Most studies show that, comparative to other elite sectors, East Germans are best represented in politics. However, in some areas of the political sector, like the federal government, we find very few East Germans, despite Angela Merkel’s chancellorship. This paper looks at East German representation in parliamentary leadership positions. It finds East Germans remain underrepresented in these positions, especially outside of The Left. It explores three explanatory approaches: (1) there are not enough East Germans in the recruitment pool, (2) East German members lack the desired qualifications and (3) the leadership recruitment process is biased against East Germans. Using statistical analysis based on a biographical dataset including all MPs from the 13th to the 18th legislative period, it finds that both low East German membership in the Bundestag and the existence of a bias lead to underrepresentation of East Germans in those positions. While The Left tries to strongly represent East German interests by recruiting them into leadership positions, East Germans’ access to these positions in all other party parliamentary groups remains low. This has negative effects on the substantive representation of East Germans and on their trust in representative democracy.

P283 Hydrotherapy and aquatic therapy provision in a post-COVID NHS

Abstract Background/Aims Hydrotherapy remains an important part of treatment for a range of rheumatological, musculoskeletal and other conditions. As there is little robust clinical evidence, hydrotherapy is scarcely included in national guidelines, with the exception of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance for Spondyloarthritis which recommends hydrotherapy as an adjunct therapy. In recent years, hydrotherapy services have often been targeted in cost-saving exercises by commissioners and providers. There was a concern that this would be further exacerbated by the pandemic with pools closing to become storage space and remaining closed beyond this. Methods Via the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), we submitted a Freedom of Information Request (FOI) to establish the status of hydrotherapy pools pre- and post-pandemic. The FOI was sent to all NHS trusts in England asking them about the status of their pool before and after COVID, future plans and reasons for any delay in re-opening. Results 90 trusts (69%) responded. 72% of those had an onsite hydrotherapy pool prior to the pandemic, 90% of which were open. 27% of pools had already re-opened and there were plans to re-open 49%. 2% were due to remain permanently shut with 21% unsure of the future of their pool. The most common reasons for delays in pools re-opening were linked to infection prevention control restrictions, including changing area capacity (23%), social distancing and ventilation (38%). The most common reasons for the uncertainty of when they would re-open were changing area capacity (46%), staff to clean (23%), access to pool i.e., still being used for other purposes (30%), social distancing and ventilation (23%). Of those pools that were already open or due to re-open, 93% had a reduced capacity with an average capacity of 37%. This was largely due to changing area capacity (54%), staff to clean (44%), access to the pool (28%), social distancing and ventilation (55%). Of the pools that were open prior to the pandemic, the condition areas which used them included MSK (92%), neurology (74%), physical disability (77%) and children (77%). 8% of users had axial SpA. Conclusion There is a very real threat to NHS hydrotherapy facilities in England. A lack of robust clinical evidence often leaves therapists and patients in limbo, with anecdotal testimony as to the benefits often not being enough to convince of its value. A co-ordinated cross-condition alliance is needed to ensure: clear local pathways are established into hydrotherapy; pools are considered in new build and refurbishments; robust clinical evidence is produced; hydrotherapy is included in national guidelines; tools are available at local level to audit and promote hydrotherapy; local services can become self-funding via community and patient groups. Disclosure J. Hamilton: None. C. Jeffries: None. S. Whalley: None. D. Webb: None.

Strategic leadership in the EU multilevel parliamentary field: the EPP Group’s Erasmus Programme

This article, for the first time, analyses vertical networking among parliamentary groups and elected politicians from the same Europarty in the EU. It explores how, concerned about its growing ideological diversity, political fragmentation and recent sovereigniste tendencies, the European People’s Party Group in the European Parliament has sought to exercise strategic leadership within the EU multilevel parliamentary field by systematizing its cooperation with younger national MPs. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach including document analysis, elite interviews, and a participant survey, the article traces the origins, motivations, and implementation since 2016 of the EPP Group’s unique Erasmus Programme for visits by such national MPs to Brussels. It shows that participation enhanced the MPs’ knowledge about the EPP Group, the EP, and the EU. It also created new contacts between them and the EPP Group and other EP actors, and it contributed somewhat to legitimising the EPP Group’s role for national politics. It remains to be seen, however, whether increased vertical parliamentary networking will be both sustainable, not ephemeral, and transnational, not national—long-term effects that could only be traced with the help of a longitudinal research design.

The Disability Employment Gap

Abstract Research by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology highlights how tech can remove barriers to employment for disabled people, writes Geena Vabulas, Policy Manager for Assistive and Accessible Technology at Policy Connect.

Read all about it: 2022 and keeping up to date in medical aesthetics

Journal of Aesthetic NursingVol. 11, No. 1 EditorialRead all about it: 2022 and keeping up to date in medical aestheticsJasmine CallaghanJasmine CallaghanEditor, JANSearch for more papers by this authorJasmine CallaghanPublished Online:3 Feb 2022https://doi.org/10.12968/joan.2022.11.1.5AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References All Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty, Aesthetics and Wellbeing. Concluding report: inquiry into advanced aesthetic non-surgical cosmetic treatments. 2021. https://tinyurl.com/au7zt8ee (accessed 24 January 2022) Google ScholarMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Macrolane™Volume Restoration Factor (VRF) dermal filler for breast augmentation—diagnosis of breast cancer difficult in some cases. 2014. https://tinyurl.com/3y44u7fd (accessed 24 January 2022) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 February 2022Volume 11Issue 1ISSN (print): 2050-3717ISSN (online): 2052-2878 Metrics History Published online 3 February 2022 Published in print 2 February 2022 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Arbeitsgruppen und Arbeitskreise der Parlamentsfraktionen

In the Bundestag and in the state parliaments, parliamentary party groups (PPGs) have set up working groups that more or less mirror parliamentary committees and government departments . They serve the purpose to prepare policy positions; hence, they are important institutions for forming opinions within their parliamentary group and for clarifying conflicts, including those with the government . In the rather informal structure of working groups, several conflicting logics meet: party discipline, MPs’ ties to their constituencies, support for the government, and specialization . Working groups do not meet in public and there are hardly any reports about them . This arcane area offers an opportunity for open debate among MPs as well as between them and government officials attending the meetings . Working groups of the majority PPG(s) are also a mood barometer for the politics of the government and may serve as its supporters when it comes to asserting cabinet interests inside the parliamentary party . However, the informational and power imbalance between government and parliament is only reduced by working groups of the PPGs of the governmental majority because opposition working groups are not able to exchange information directly with government representatives .

Kleinerer Bundestag durch vereinte Unionsparteien? Eine minimalinvasive und partei- enproporzneutrale Option für die aktuelle Wahlrechtsdiskussion

The German electoral law is a permanent object of criticism . This is mainly due to the Bun- destag’s size, which grew to a record of 736 MPs in 2021 . Key reasons for this growth are surplus and compensation seats which are hard to explain to the broader public . The reform of 2013 according to which surplus seats are offset between the state lists of one party, is only partly effective to stop the growth of Parliament, since the long-term partners CDU and the CSU run for the Bundestag as separate parties . Against this background, a twofold proposal for reform is needed . First, the electoral law would enable joint lists of parties that do not compete against each other . Second, an amendment of the Bundestag’s standing orders can establish that only parties with joint lists can form a parliamentary party group . The incentives provided by this combined reform could be effective because both Chris- tian-democratic parties benefit from a joint parliamentary group . This proposal could be one component for the upcoming electoral reform since it does not change the proportion of seats and, thus, could also be supported by the CDU as well as the CSU .

Ewolucja i trendy w polsko-szwajcarskich stosunkach politycznych, gospodarczych, kulturalnych i naukowych po 1989 r., z uwzględnieniem uczestnictwa w organizacjach międzynarodowych

Polish-Swiss contacts have a centuries-old tradition of trade, science, culture and diplomacy. The beginning of diplomatic contacts was Poland’s regaining independence in 1918, which resulted in the establishment of official bilateral contacts, which was connected with the development of economic, scientific and cultural cooperation. Contacts between the states continued throughout the interwar period and the period of World War II, but were limited during the Cold War. Mutual contacts were revived after 1989. There were many official and working mutual visits of heads of state, representatives of governments and parliamentary groups. During the meetings, both bilateral and international issues were discussed. In the initial period, the cooperation between Poland and Switzerland was based on bilateral agreements, which – with Poland’s accession to the EU – were replaced by Switzerland-EU agreements. Bilateral cooperation is maintained in the interstate area as well as within international and military organizations.

Aus vier mach eins? Die Kandidatenaufstellung der Linksallianz bei den französischen Parlamentswahlen 2022

Tue 2022 legislative elections in France saw a new political player: NUPES, who won about a fourth of the National Assembly seats. Tuis ad hoc alliance of the four main parties of the left-wing political spectrum (socialists, greens, communists, radical left) faced considerable hurdles in nominating candidates. When analyzing the extent to which these were overcome, a number of less well-known factors of the French political system are explained, and the possible effects the electoral alliance might have on the party system are explored. Based on the LEGIS-2022 dataset on candidates in the parliamentary elections, we can show that the party financing rules and the local anchoring of the parties had an impact on the internal balance of power within the Left Alliance. Although electoral successes were hardly predictable not only due to the lack of safe constituencies but also to resistances exercised within their own ranks in the form of counter-candidacies, all four left-leaning parties were able to form their own parliamentary group after the election. In this respect, the electoral alliance functioned as a useful vehicle for maximizing votes in a highly fragmented party system.

Die Gesetzgebung zu den Ruhebezügen des Bundespräsidenten im Lichte parlamentarischer Polarisierung

Political science has shown little interest in the office of the Federal President, and the legislative processes that deal with the office itself have not been considered at all . And yet they are particularly interesting from a parliamentary-theoretical perspective . In former times, there was agreement on the principle that legislation concerning the Federal President would be dealt with in a harmonious fashion involving all parliamentary party groups and keeping it away from party-political calculations . The article focuses on the “Act on the Federal President’s Retirement Benefits” . A document analysis of the associated draft laws and plenary debates reveals how much the former principle has changed because of the changed party-political composition of the Bundestag . Against that backdrop, the present study supports the thesis that parliamentary polarization stands in the way of potential reforms, particularly in this area . It seems unlikely that under the current party constellation, previous inter-party, discrete debates and unanimous votes in relation to the legislation on the office of the Federal President could be picked up on again, specifically when including all parliamentary groups currently represented in the Bundestag .

Parlamentsvizepräsidenten in Bundestag und Landesparlamenten: (Neu-)Regelungen und Ämterbesetzung im Schatten der AfD

Appointing vice presidents to the German state parliaments, as well as to the Bundestag, has come under greater public attention since the AfD has gained parliamentary representation . The AfD has often complained that it is prevented from exercising its right to nominate or appoint a vice president by the other parliamentary groups . This article examines the question of whether such rights actually exist and whether, as the AfD claims, changes have been made to constitutional provisions or parliamentary rules of procedure to the detriment of the AfD since 2014 . This is put in relation to the results that AfD candidates achieved in vice presidential elections in each case . While it can be seen that the legal provisions have indeed been changed frequently since 2014, there are only few cases that ostensibly followed the goal of preventing AfD-MPs from candidacies for the office of Vice President . At the same time, however, parliamentarians in most cases exercised their right to refuse to approve AfD candidates .

Die Verfassung der Fraktion. Institutionelle Variationen und Institutionenwandel

The formal rules of parliamentary party groups (PPGs), their standing orders or rules of procedure have received scant attention in political science even though they have implications beyond the groups themselves . The project SOPiP (Standing Orders of Parties in Parliament), which is conducted at the Institute for Parliamentary Research, seeks to close this gap from a longitudinal and cross-sectional perspective . The longitudinal perspective deals with the genesis and change of the PPGs’ rulebooks in Germany . The starting point are the groups in the first pan-German parliament, the Frankfurt Assembly 1848/1849, who established rules that similarly exist today . An international comparison of PPG constitutions reveals a huge institutional variety for such issues from leadership selection to voting unity . Furthermore, a case study of the SPD in the Bundestag is used to analyze the processes of standing order reforms . Various additional research questions illustrate paths for future comparative research as well the need for more in-depth analyses .

NICE has 'failed to listen to patient evidence' on prescription drug withdrawal, claims parliamentary group

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not taken into account the experience of thousands of patients in the advice it gives on tapering the dose when discontinuing certain medicines, according to a group of parliamentarians. In its response to the publication of NICE guidance on how to manage the withdrawal of […]

A better way to ….structure training in non-surgical aesthetics: An OMFS-led training scheme

Introduction: The recent All Party Parliamentary Group made 17 key recommendations regarding the non-surgical aesthetics (NSA) industry, including mandatory regulated training. Most training currently consists in unregulated, non-academically accredited one- or two-day courses. Lack of information around training has been highlighted as a key concern by doctors and dentists. Methods: We surveyed 90 medical and dental students regarding NSA, with questions about relevance to practice, understanding of training pathways, and regulation. We used these findings to create a non-profit mentorship scheme for soon-to-graduate and newly graduated medics and dentists, consisting in theoretical and practical components. The scheme leads mentees towards the OFQUAL-regulated, academically accredited Level 7 PG Diploma in Injectables. Results: Of 60 respondents, 85% were interested in practising NSA, and 92% thought it relevant to medical/dental practice, however only 15% had a good or very good idea of how to train. After one year of the scheme, we surveyed our mentees; 88% had a good or very good understanding of regulation, 90% for training pathways. The scheme now boasts 50 mentees, with teaching designed and delivered by a team of dual-qualified OMFS trainees. Conclusions: Complications from NSA treatments are widely reported. OMF Surgeons are uniquely placed to both manage complications, and to provide training in NSA. Robust training pathways are needed to address significant undergraduate and postgraduate interest in the area. Such pathways should lead to regulated and accredited courses, while ensuring doctors and dentists are given balanced and valid information in what is still a largely unregulated education sector. Introduction: The recent All Party Parliamentary Group made 17 key recommendations regarding the non-surgical aesthetics (NSA) industry, including mandatory regulated training. Most training currently consists in unregulated, non-academically accredited one- or two-day courses. Lack of information around training has been highlighted as a key concern by doctors and dentists. Methods: We surveyed 90 medical and dental students regarding NSA, with questions about relevance to practice, understanding of training pathways, and regulation. We used these findings to create a non-profit mentorship scheme for soon-to-graduate and newly graduated medics and dentists, consisting in theoretical and practical components. The scheme leads mentees towards the OFQUAL-regulated, academically accredited Level 7 PG Diploma in Injectables. Results: Of 60 respondents, 85% were interested in practising NSA, and 92% thought it relevant to medical/dental practice, however only 15% had a good or very good idea of how to train. After one year of the scheme, we surveyed our mentees; 88% had a good or very good understanding of regulation, 90% for training pathways. The scheme now boasts 50 mentees, with teaching designed and delivered by a team of dual-qualified OMFS trainees. Conclusions: Complications from NSA treatments are widely reported. OMF Surgeons are uniquely placed to both manage complications, and to provide training in NSA. Robust training pathways are needed to address significant undergraduate and postgraduate interest in the area. Such pathways should lead to regulated and accredited courses, while ensuring doctors and dentists are given balanced and valid information in what is still a largely unregulated education sector.

Poselska inicjatywa ustawodawcza

This article aims to draw attention to the issue of legislative initiative concerning the powers conferred on Members. This work includes consideration of the substance of the legislative initiative as well as the parliamentary legislative initiative, in particular through the initiative of the parliamentary groups and the initiative given to the Sejm committee and the possibility of withdrawing a complex project. The author focuses primarily on the analysis of the regulations concerning the problem, which have been extended to include a broad doctrine.

MPs call for national formulary for HRT treatments

An all-party group of MPs has called for the government to create a national formulary for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The recommendation came in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause’s report that presents the results of its ‘Inquiry to assess the impacts of menopause and the case for policy reform’, published on 12 October 2022. […]