Parliamentary group
As a fraction ( in Austria called Club ) is called a voluntary group of representatives in a parliament or other political bodies (for example, a local council ) to achieve their political interests and goals.
Germany
A fraction form the elected officials who have a seat in Parliament and belong to the same party in the rule. Some of them also have to bear their names. Fractions are available in almost all parliamentary ( Bundestag, state legislatures ) and other organizations (eg the regional associations, district councils, city councils or representatives ). You have a special status, which is associated with additional parliamentary rights and usually also financial benefits. In order for a grouping receives this fraction status, a minimum number of Members or members or the fulfillment of another quorum is usually prescribed. In Saarland parliament rich two deputies.
Even MPs from different parties can join together to form a parliamentary group. Similarly, the receiving individual or independent deputy from their original faction beaten elected as so-called interns is possible.
The Basic Law fractions only in Article 53a paragraph 1 sentence 2 of the Basic Law explicitly named.
Fractions play an important role in the internal decision-making in Parliament. In the parliamentary system of the Federal Republic of Germany the government parties and their discipline is of particular importance in the legislative process. Opposition factions practice classically control and review functions, and set in party competition an alternative to the government parties dar.
A faction is led mostly by a chairman. However, Alliance 90/The Greens have a double peak in the rule.
As a basis for an efficient working of fractions of the party discipline is considered, however, is in some tension with the in Article 38 paragraph 1 sentence 2 of the Basic Law enshrined principle of free mandate.
An expulsion from the party or party outlet of a deputy has not automatically excluded from the Group result. However, a withdrawal from the fraction is usually a " party -destructive behavior " within the meaning of the statutes of the party and thus a reason for expulsion from the party.
In fraktionsschädigendem behavior, a member may be excluded. This decision is subject to judicial review. The excluded deputies does not lose his seat, but remains as a non-attached Members in Parliament.
The detailed rules for the rights and obligations of the fractions, the entry and exit and the internal organization of the fractions are by law (eg in Hesse by the Hessian fraction Act) and the Rules of Procedure of the respective Parliament ( for example in Hesse § § 40 ff of the Rules of Procedure Landtag ) set. The fractions themselves can decide statutes, in which the internal organization and operation is regulated.
In the German Bundestag in addition, the status exists for the Group 's status as group members for concentrations below the group strength.
See also:
- Fraction ( Bundestag )
- Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag
- Fraction status in the German state parliaments
Austria
Both the Austrian National Council and in the state legislatures of the individual states are called the groups " club" and are led by club coordinators.
In contrast, the fractions of the Federal Council are referred to as such. They are led by group leaders.
Switzerland
In the Swiss Federal Assembly form at least five MPs a fraction. The most important task is to appoint members to the committees. The fractions and not the political parties are decisive for the parliamentary business which are not mentioned anywhere in the Act of Parliament.
Party discipline is prohibited in Switzerland and can de facto be exercised only very efficient. The members of the groups - especially those who stand in the middle of the political spectrum - exercising the freedom to good use. This is facilitated by two factors:
- There is no sharp division between government and opposition, as all parties from case to case, depending on the pending decision on the merits to decide for or against the Government's position.
- The electoral system with choice lists on which emphasize the voters at the discretion candidate or double list ( accumulating ) or even candidates of other parties can be characterized by vote-splitting, leads to the finally elected representatives have a strong support among voters and therefore less at the mercy of their party.
According to Article 61, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the Swiss Parliament Act have to form a group of at least five MPs ( " Board Members") of the same Council to be a member of that group. The Federal Council a party though usually belong to the group Board and take part in the group meetings in an advisory capacity, but may - in contrast to Group members - neither make applications still vote. A Federal Council is therefore never a member of a group.
European Parliament
The composition of the fractions as well as the seats in the Chamber of the European Parliament take place across countries according to the political affiliation of deputies. Prerequisite for the formation of a group is the participation of at least 25 members, which must be seconded by at least one quarter ( ie seven) of the Member States of the European Union. MPs may only be in one group.
Currently (May 2010) there are seven political groups in the European Parliament:
- Group of the European People's Party ( Christian Democrats)
- Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
- Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
- Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance
- European Conservatives and Reformists
- Confederal Group of the European United Left / Nordic Green Left
- Europe of Freedom and Democracy