29/01/2015 Session
The Assembly has called on national parliaments in the Council of Europe’s 47 member States to “look in depth” at the whole question of parliamentarians switching political allegiance mid-term – including whether it should be restricted or banned altogether – and to draw up regulations governing the practice.
“Mandates are moral contracts between voters and parliamentarians, based on the principles, values and opinions defended in their election manifestos,” the Assembly said in a resolution, based on a report by Jordi Xuclà (Spain, ALDE).
“Switches in political affiliation after elections therefore raise questions and criticisms – in particular in ethical and moral terms.”
There should also be strong measures to tackle vote-buying or selling or bribing members to change groups, the Assembly added.