"political reform and ensuring that parliament is no longer glued to the wishes of cabinet" and "None of the four party leaders would, the new arrangement will be an ‘extra-parliamentary’ cabinet where the government is more or less directed by the parliamentary parties rather than the other way around." This is fascinating. Could you say more about this? Could something like this emerge in Canada?
Yes, Canada is a key example where the prime minister's office dictates and the parliamentary caucus follows. The goal in the new Dutch set-up is to reverse this, the four parties set the course and agenda which cabinet then executes. The US was originally set up this way as well where the president merely executes the will of the legislators. The goal is to give elected parliament its strengths back so that it no longer rubber stamps what cabinet has agreed already. I have no precise details as we have to see how it is going to work out, but it is worth considering this approach in other countries too, yes.
The PMO has been absorbing more and more power to itself for decades under both parties. I would like to see this trend reversed. Even cabinet minister are seeing the PMO take over decision making.
"political reform and ensuring that parliament is no longer glued to the wishes of cabinet" and "None of the four party leaders would, the new arrangement will be an ‘extra-parliamentary’ cabinet where the government is more or less directed by the parliamentary parties rather than the other way around." This is fascinating. Could you say more about this? Could something like this emerge in Canada?
Yes, Canada is a key example where the prime minister's office dictates and the parliamentary caucus follows. The goal in the new Dutch set-up is to reverse this, the four parties set the course and agenda which cabinet then executes. The US was originally set up this way as well where the president merely executes the will of the legislators. The goal is to give elected parliament its strengths back so that it no longer rubber stamps what cabinet has agreed already. I have no precise details as we have to see how it is going to work out, but it is worth considering this approach in other countries too, yes.
The PMO has been absorbing more and more power to itself for decades under both parties. I would like to see this trend reversed. Even cabinet minister are seeing the PMO take over decision making.