At its meeting in Chisinau today, the PACE Standing Committee emphasised the importance of the Assembly’s members' active commitment at a time when multilateralism and democracy are under strain. Participation lends legitimacy to the Assembly's decisions; it is not merely a procedural formality but a political responsibility, the parliamentarians said.

The resolution unanimously adopted on the basis of a report by Petra Bayr (Austria, SOC), proposes a set of measures aimed at enhancing participation by a higher number of members in the Assembly's work by increasing speaking opportunities; adding dynamism to its work and debates; strengthening institutional capacity and the pertinence of its work; optimising its order of business; and amplifying impact and visibility.

PACE recommended, in particular, the creation of special committees, with a clear, time-limited mandate “addressing priority or transversal issues requiring focused parliamentary consideration”.

In order to add dynamism to PACE’s work and debates, the adopted text proposes introducing a “blue card question” mechanism allowing direct, concise questions from rapporteurs and political group speakers to other speakers during debates.

PACE also called on national parliaments to support and facilitate members’ participation in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly through various means.

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