23/05/2008 President
“Finding better ways to involve civil society more closely in political life is currently a key challenge for our parliaments” today said Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Per Westerberg addressing the Conference of Presidents of Parliament. Mr Westerberg stressed that an “independent civil society is a precondition for true democracy and good governance, especially when parliamentary opposition is weak”, and that it “provides politicians with valuable input”, adding that the Swedish Parliament had a long tradition of cooperation with civil society.
Among mechanisms for involving civil society in parliamentary processes, Mr Westerberg quoted the well-developed system of committees and referral bodies in decision-making processes in Sweden, pointing out that in the Riksdag, such committees arrange almost 50 public hearings every year on specific topics, with experts and representatives of organisations answering questions from the MPs.