Download article

Authors: Somogyi, Enikő

Title: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parliamentary work (comparative analysis)

Abstract: Following World War II, it is difficult to identify any single event that has influenced the global community as profoundly as the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, caused by the coronavirus designated as COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV-2), has fundamentally shaped our daily lives since its global emergence in 2020. As a result, hardly any country in the world has escaped the rise of constitutional law challenges triggered by the pandemic – issues that had not been previously addressed. One of the key constitutional concerns in democratic states worldwide was how to ensure the continued functioning of legislative bodies, i.e., parliaments. This study provides an overview of parliamentary operations across Europe during the pandemic.

Keywords: Covid-19, pandemic, parliament, administration, legislative work

Cite as: Somogyi, E. (2024). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parliamentary work (comparative analysis). Studia Juridica et Politica Jaurinensia, 11(2), 73–81. https://doi.org/10.71100/STUDIA.2024.2.6

Doi: 10.71100/STUDIA.2024.2.6

References:

1. Act XII of 2020 on the Containment of Coronavirus.
2. Bill T/9790 on the Containment of Coronavirus. https://www.parlament.hu/irom41 /09790/09790.pdf
3. Crego, M. D. & Mańko, R. (2020). Parliaments in emergency mode: How Member States’ parliaments are continuing with business during the pandemic. EPRS. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/649396/EPRS_BRI(2020)649396_EN.pdf
4. FRA. (2020, April 8). Coronavirus pandemic in the EU - Fundamental Rights Implications - Bulletin 1. https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/fra-2020-coronavirus-pande mic-eu-bulletin_en.pdf
5. IPU. (2020, October 16). Country compilation of parliamentary responses to the pandemic. https://www.ipu.org/country-compilation-parliamentary-responses-pandemic
6. Office of the National Assembly (2021). Parliamentary Information Service: Special regimes and pandemic emergency situations during the COVID-19 pandemic in certain European countries. Department of Public Collections and Cultural Affairs.
7. Republic of Austria. (2020). COVID-19 Measures Act [BGBl. I Nr. 16/2020]. Bundesgesetzblatt für die Republik Österreich. https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/BgblAuth/BGBLA _2020_I_16/BGBLA_2020_I_16.pdfsig
8. Resolution 10/2014 (III. 24.) OGY on certain provisions of the Rules of Procedure.
9. Selanec, N. B. (2020, May 9). Croatia’s Response to COVID-19: On Legal Form and Constitutional Safeguards in Times of Pandemic. Verfassungsblog: On Matters Constitutional. https://doi.org/10.17176/20200509-133132-0
10. Steidle, K. (2020, March). Adjustment of Parliamentary Activity to COVID-19 Outbreak and the prospect of remote sessions and voting. Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments Institutional Cooperation Unit. http://www.epgencms.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/ upload/0ae11501-a0b2-4339-93db-349872d77e25/WEB_No.27_National_Parliaments_proc edures_following_COVID-19.pdf
11. Stumpf, I. (2021). A válságok hatása a politikai rendszerekre. Scientia et Securitas, 2(3), 247-256. https://doi.org/10.1556/112.2021.00051
12. The Constitution and Government Emergency Ordinance No. 21/2004 on the management of states of emergency.
13. The Constitution of Romania
14. The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia.
15. The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia
16. The Constitution of the Slovak Republic.
17. The Constitutional Act No. 227/2020 on State Security in Wartime, State of Emergency, and Extraordinary Situations.