Relations between the General Council and the Government. Monitoring and motivating government political action

Article 50 of the Constitution states that the General Council, as the representative of the Andorran people, bears, among others, the duty to motivate and monitor the Executive Government’s political action. So, a large number of the parliamentary actions are oriented specifically towards encouraging the Executive to pass certain measures, to urge them to action or, on the other hand, to obtain information about government activity.

These relations are sustained by various mechanisms:

1.    Election of the Head of Government. Candidates present their programmes to the General Council which chooses the Head of Government by a majority vote, and he must promise or be sworn into office at an investiture with all the Councillors and before the Síndic General.

2.    Motion of censure, the only way that the General Council can express its loss of confidence in the Government.

3.    Vote of confidence. The Head of Government can submit to voting whether he can count on parliament’s confidence in him. If he does not get approval, the Head of Government must present his resignation.

4.    Parliamentary questions. Every Councillor has the right to present questions to the Government, which may be answered in writing or verbally, the latter at plenary sessions.

5.    Motions. Questions with verbal answers may give rise to a motion for the General Council to state its position. This means proposing a resolution which must be debated at the same chamber.

6.    Debates about the Government’s political orientation. The Government explains its decisions to the General Council and public opinion and these are debated by the parliamentary groups.

7.    Government programmes, plans and communiques.

8.    Informative sessions. Both the Head of Government and the ministers can appear, in order to inform parliament about a specific issue, at their own or the General Council’s request.

9.    Monitoring delegated legislation. If a law delegates legislative powers to the Government, the parliament ensures that they are exercised correctly.

10.  Proposed resolutions. These are decisions voted by the General Council on non-legislative matters which nonetheless refer to matters of general interest.

11.  Dissolution of the General Council. After the 4-year period of legislature has passed, the General Council is dissolved, whereas the Síndic General and members of the Permanent Committee remain in office. However, the Head of Government has the power to dissolve parliament before the end of the period and must provide for and call general elections.