A Peek at the Parliament

By Anagha Agrawal
The Parliament is a national assembly of elected representatives of the people. At state level it is called the
legislature or the legislative assembly. The Parliament has the authority of enacting, changing or abolishing
existing laws. National policy and important public issues are discussed and debated in the Parliament.

The primary functions of Parliament are to 

1. Form and execute laws

In a parliamentary system, laws are made by majority vote of the legislature and signed by the head of state,
who does not have an effective veto power. In most parliamentary democracies, the head of state can return a
bill to the legislative body to signify disagreement with it.

2. Represent the people

Parliaments exist to represent our interests and make sure they are taken into account by the Government.
The Government cannot make new laws or raise new taxes without the agreement of the Parliament which is
made up of appointed people and those who have been elected by the general public.

3. Provide scrutiny and oversight of government.

Parliaments perform a legislative function because, in addition to introducing legislation on their own, they
have the power to amend, approve or reject government draft laws.
 Quick Quiz
Together with the State Duma, the Federation Council of the Russian Parliament takes part
in drafting laws, reviewing them and taking decisions, and also drafts federal laws and federal
constitutional laws on its own, under its right to initiate legislation. What is it called?

Federal Assembly
The main function of the Israeli Parliament, as the legislative authority, is Parliament (private
bills), or by a committee. What is it known as? to enact laws. Legislation can be initiated by
the Government (Government bills), by one or more Members of the Israeli

Knesset
The Parliament of Bhutan is formed of King of Bhutan along with two houses. The Lower
House is called National Assembly (Gyelyong Tshogdu) and the Upper house called National
Council (Gyelyong Tshogde). What is the official name of the Parliament of Bhutan?
Gyelyong Tshokhang
Iceland’s Parliament is the oldest continuously functioning legislature in the world.
What is it called?

Althing

The parliament of Sweden performs the normal functions of a legislature in a

parliamentary democracy. It enacts laws, amends the constitution and
appoints a government. What is its official name?

Riksdag

The Parliament of India has three constituents, namely, the President of India, the Rajya
Sabha (Council of states) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). What is it known as?

Sansad Bhavan
The Spanish Parliament is entrusted with the legislative power of the State, to adopt its
Budget, and  conduct Government oversight. What is it officially known as?

Cortes Generales

The German Parliament is the chief legislative body on the federal level. The individual states of
Germany participate in legislative process through the Bundesrat, a separate assembly. The
Bundestag also elects and oversees the chancellor, Germany's head of government, and sets the
government budget. What’s it called?

Bundestag

The parliament of Greece assumes legislative work and enforces parliamentary control. It is
for this purpose that committees of MPs are established, depending on the power of
parliamentary groups and independent MPs. Committees engage in legislative work or
parliamentary control or special matters. What is its official name?

Hellenic Parliament